bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On the Quina side: A Neanderthal bone industry at Chez-Pinaud site, France
Authors: Baumann Malvina , Plisson Hugues , Maury Serge , Renou Sylvain , Coqueugniot Hélène , Vanderesse Nicolas , Kolobova Ksenyia , Shnaider Svetlana , Rots Veerle , Guérin Guillaume , Rendu William
Published: June 2023

Did Neanderthal produce a bone industry? The recent discovery of a large bone tool assemblage at the Neanderthal site of Chagyrskaya (Altai, Siberia, Russia) and the increasing discoveries of isolated finds of bone tools in various Mousterian sites across Eurasia stimulate the debate. Assuming that the isolate finds may be the tip of the iceberg and that the Siberian occurrence did not result from a local adaptation of easternmost Neanderthals, we looked for evidence of a similar industry in the Western side of their spread area. We assessed the bone tool potential of the Quina bone-bed level currently under excavation at chez Pinaud site (Jonzac, Charente-Maritime, France) and found as many bone tools as flint ones: not only the well-known retouchers but also beveled tools, retouched artifacts and a smooth-ended rib. Their diversity opens a window on a range of activities not expected in a butchering site and not documented by the flint tools, all involved in the carcass processing. The re-use of 20% of the bone blanks, which are mainly from large ungulates among faunal remains largely dominated by reindeer, raises the question of blank procurement and management. From the Altai to the Atlantic shore, through a multitude of sites where only a few objects have been reported so far, evidence of a Neanderthal bone industry is emerging which provides new insights on Middle Paleolithic subsistence strategies.
Interactions between Trypillian farmers and North Pontic forager-pastoralists in Eneolithic central Ukraine
Authors: Nikitin Alexey G. , Videiko Mykhailo , Patterson Nick , Renson Virginie , Reich David
Published: June 2023

The establishment of agrarian economy in Eneolithic East Europe is associated with the Pre-Cucuteni-Cucuteni-Trypillia complex (PCCTC). PCCTC farmers interacted with Eneolithic forager-pastoralist groups of the North Pontic steppe as PCCTC extended from the Carpathian foothills to the Dnipro Valley beginning in the late 5th millennium BCE. While the cultural interaction between the two groups is evident through the Cucuteni C pottery style that carries steppe influence, the extent of biological interactions between Trypillian farmers and the steppe remains unclear. Here we report the analysis of artefacts from the late 5th millennium Trypillian settlement at the Kolomiytsiv Yar Tract (KYT) archaeological complex in central Ukraine, focusing on a human bone fragment found in the Trypillian context at KYT. Diet stable isotope ratios obtained from the bone fragment suggest the diet of the KYT individual to be within the range of forager-pastoralists of the North Pontic area. Strontium isotope ratios of the KYT individual are consistent with having originated from contexts of the Serednii Stih (Sredny Stog) culture sites of the Middle Dnipro Valley. Genetic analysis of the KYT individual indicates ancestry derived from a proto-Yamna population such as Serednii Stih. Overall, the KYT archaeological site presents evidence of interactions between Trypillians and Eneolithic Pontic steppe inhabitants of the Serednii Stih horizon and suggests a potential for gene flow between the two groups as early as the beginning of the 4th millennium BCE.
The neighborhood built environment and COVID-19 hospitalizations
Authors: Rigolon Alessandro , Németh Jeremy , Anderson-Gregson Brenn , Miller Ana Rae , deSouza Priyanka , Montague Brian , Hussain Cory , Erlandson Kristine M. , Rowan Sarah E.
Published: June 2023

Research on the associations between the built environment and COVID-19 outcomes has mostly focused on incidence and mortality. Also, few studies on the built environment and COVID-19 have controlled for individual-level characteristics across large samples. In this study, we examine whether neighborhood built environment characteristics are associated with hospitalization in a cohort of 18,042 individuals who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 between May and December 2020 in the Denver metropolitan area, USA. We use Poisson models with robust standard errors that control for spatial dependence and several individual-level demographic characteristics and comorbidity conditions. In multivariate models, we find that among individuals with SARS-CoV-2 infection, those living in multi-family housing units and/or in places with higher particulate matter (PM2.5) have a higher incident rate ratio (IRR) of hospitalization. We also find that higher walkability, higher bikeability, and lower public transit access are linked to a lower IRR of hospitalization. In multivariate models, we did not find associations between green space measures and the IRR of hospitalization. Results for non-Hispanic white and Latinx individuals highlight substantial differences: higher PM2.5levels have stronger positive associations with the IRR of hospitalization for Latinx individuals, and density and overcrowding show stronger associations for non-Hispanic white individuals. Our results show that the neighborhood built environment might pose an independent risk for COVID-19 hospitalization. Our results may inform public health and urban planning initiatives to lower the risk of hospitalization linked to COVID-19 and other respiratory pathogens.
Ground-based measurements of the weather-driven sky radiance distribution in the Southern Hemisphere
Authors: Cordero Raúl R. , Feron Sarah , Sepúlveda Edgardo , Damiani Alessandro , Jorquera Jose , Rowe Penny M. , Carrasco Jorge , Rayas Juan A. , Llanillo Pedro , MacDonell Shelley , Seckmeyer Gunther
Published: June 2023

The angular distribution of the sky radiance determines the energy generation of solar power technologies as well as the ultraviolet (UV) doses delivered to the biosphere. The sky-diffuse radiance distribution depends on the wavelength, the solar elevation, and the atmospheric conditions. Here, we report on ground-based measurements of the all-sky radiance at three sites in the Southern Hemisphere across a transect of about 5,000 km: Santiago (33°S, a mid-latitude city of 6 million inhabitants with endemic poor air quality), King George Island (62°S, at the northern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula, one of the cloudiest regions on Earth), and Union Glacier (79°S, a snow-covered glacier in the vast interior of Western Antarctica). The sites were strategically selected for studying the influence of urban aerosols, frequent and thick clouds, and extremely high albedo on the sky-diffuse radiance distribution. Our results show that, due to changing site-specific atmospheric conditions, the characterization of the weather-driven sky radiance distribution may require ground-based measurements.
Examining decisional needs and contextual factors influencing fertility status assessment among young female survivors of childhood cancer: A sequential mixed methods study protocol
Authors: Cherven Brooke , Ivankova Nataliya V. , Spencer Jessica B. , Fitzpatrick Anne M. , Burns Karen C. , Demedis Jenna , Hoefgen Holly R. , Mertens Ann C. , Klosky James L.
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Female cancer survivors who received gonadotoxic cancer treatment are at risk for profound diminished ovarian reserve and/or primary ovarian insufficiency with resulting infertility, which can be associated with distress and decreased quality of life.. Despite prioritizing future parenthood, many survivors are unsure of the impact of their treatment on their future fertility, and little is known about the perceived reproductive health needs and factors associated with receipt of a fertility status assessment (FSA). There is a lack of developmentally appropriate reproductive health decisional support interventions available for emerging adult cancer survivors. This study will explore the perceived reproductive health needs of emerging adult female survivors of childhood cancer and to identify decisional and contextual factors that influence pursuit of FSA using an explanatory sequential quantitative to qualitative mixed methods design.

Methods and analysis

This study will enroll 325 female survivors (aged 18 to 29 years and >1-year post treatment; diagnosed with cancer < age 21 years) from four cancer centers in the United States. Sociodemographic and developmental factors, reproductive knowledge and values, decisional needs, and receipt of an FSA will be assessed through a web-based survey. Informed by survey findings, a subset of participants will be recruited for qualitative interviews to explore decisional factors associated with uptake of an FSA. Clinical data will be abstracted from the medical records. Multivariable logistic regression models will be developed to identify factors associated with FSA and qualitative descriptive analysis will be used to develop themes from the interviews. Quantitative and qualitative findings will be merged using a joint display to develop integrated study conclusions and direct future interventional research.
Association between infant mortality and parental educational level: An analysis of data from Vital Statistics and Census in Japan
Authors: Okui Tasuku
Published: June 2023

This study investigated the association between parental educational level and infant mortality using data from Vital Statistics and Census in Japan. We used the Census data in 2020 and birth and mortality data from the Vital Statistics from 2018 to 2021 in Japan. Data linkage was conducted between birth data and the Census to link the educational level with parents for birth data and between the birth data and mortality data to identify births that resulted in infant mortality. Four educational levels were compared: “junior high school,” “high school,” “technical school or junior college,” and “university.” A multivariate logistic regression model was used to investigate an association between parental educational level and infant mortality using other risk factors as covariates. After the data linkage, data on 890,682 births were analyzed. The proportion of junior high school or high school graduates was higher among fathers and mothers for births with infant mortality compared with that among those for births without infant mortality; in contrast, the proportion of university graduates was lower for births with infant mortality than those without infant mortality. Regression analysis showed that mothers with junior high school or high school graduates were significantly and positively associated with infant mortality compared with those with university graduates. As a conclusion, lower educational level in mothers was positively associated with infant mortality, and it was shown that a difference in infant mortality depending on parental educational level existed in Japan.
Retraction: Genome-wide association mapping for high temperature tolerance in wheat through 90k SNP array using physiological and yield traits
Authors:   The PLOS ONE Editors
Published: June 2023

Editors’ Summary
The impact of geographic inequality in federal research funding: A comparative longitudinal study of research and scholarly outputs in EPSCoR versus non-EPSCoR states
Authors: Mohammadi Ehsan , Olejniczak Anthony J. , Walker George E. , Nagarkatti Prakash
Published: June 2023

Some states in the U.S. have traditionally received less federal research funding than other states. The National Science Foundation (NSF) created a program in 1979, called the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) to enhance the research competitiveness in such states. While the geographic disparity in federal research funding is well known, the overall impact of federal funding on the research performance of EPSCoR and non-EPSCoR has not been previously studied. In the current study, we compared the combined research productivity of Ph.D. granting institutions in EPSCoR versus the non-EPSCoR states to better understand the scientific impact of federal investments in sponsored research across all states. The research outputs we measured included journal articles, books, conference papers, patents, and citation count in academic literature. Unsurprisingly, results indicated that the non-EPSCoR states received significantly more federal research funding than their EPSCoR counterparts, which correlated with a higher number of faculty members in the non-EPSCoR versus EPSCoR states. Also, in the overall research productivity expressed on a per capita, the non-EPSCoR states fared better than EPSCoR states. However, when the research output was measured based on per $1M investment of federal research funding, EPSCoR states performed significantly better than the non-EPSCoR states in many research productivity indicators, with the notable exception of patents. Together, this study found preliminary evidence that EPSCoR states achieved a high degree of research productivity despite receiving significantly fewer federal research dollars. The limitations and next steps of this study are also discussed.
Protocol for designing and testing the effectiveness of a post caesarean section home care guide in preventing surgical site infection in Central Tanzania
Authors: Mdoe Mwajuma Bakari , Mselle Lilian Teddy , Kibusi Stephen Mathew
Published: June 2023

Background

The advantages of caesarean section (CS) in managing obstetric emergencies are abundant, but it is associated with several complications including surgical site infection (SSI). SSI significantly contributes to maternal morbidity and mortality rates. Mothers often do not receive adequate information about their at-home post-delivery care. Also, guidelines on post-CS care worldwide typically do not include home care recommendations. Because of the increased rate of CS and space constraints in the hospitals, mothers are often discharged home within 48 hours after CS. Therefore, it is anticipated that using an evidence-based home care guide would provide instruction to the mothers and is likely to prevent postpartum complications and promote the well-being of both the mother and the newborn.

Aim

To design and test the effectiveness of a post-CS home care guide in preventing SSI in central Tanzania.

Methodology

This is a sequential exploratory mixed-method interventional study conducted in two regional referral hospitals in central Tanzania. A qualitative study will be conducted to explore the experiences of nurse midwives, mothers who had caesarean deliveries and their caretakers regarding the care of mothers and newborns at home. The findings will inform the development of a post-CS home care guide. Following a series of validations of the guide, research assistants will employ the guidelines to instruct post-CS mothers about home care as part of the intervention. Thirty participants will purposively be recruited for the qualitative study and a random sample of 248 nurse-midwives and 414 post-CS mothers to assess the effectiveness of the guide in improving knowledge of home care and preventing SSI. SPSS version 25 will be used to analyse quantitative data and content analysis, and ATLAS.ti will guide in analysing the qualitative data.

Conclusion

The post-CS home care guide will provide instructions to post-CS mothers and their caretakers about the care of the mothers after CS to enhance their recovery.
A Bayesian approach to estimate the probability of resistance to bedaquiline in the presence of a genomic variant
Authors: Anlay Degefaye Zelalem , Rivière Emmanuel , Tu Pham Hien Trang , Abrams Steven , Van Rie Annelies
Published: June 2023

Background

Bedaquiline is a core drug for treatment of rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis. Few genomic variants have been statistically associated with bedaquiline resistance. Alternative approaches for determining the genotypic-phenotypic association are needed to guide clinical care.

Methods

Using published phenotype data for variants inRv0678,atpE,pepQandRv1979cgenes in 756Mycobacterium tuberculosisisolates and survey data of the opinion of 33 experts, we applied Bayesian methods to estimate the posterior probability of bedaquiline resistance and corresponding 95% credible intervals.

Results

Experts agreed on the role ofRv0678, andatpE, were uncertain about the role ofpepQandRv1979cvariants and overestimated the probability of bedaquiline resistance for most variant types, resulting in lower posterior probabilities compared to prior estimates. The posterior median probability of bedaquiline resistance was low for synonymous mutations inatpE(0.1%) andRv0678(3.3%), high for missense mutations inatpE(60.8%) and nonsense mutations inRv0678(55.1%), relatively low for missense (31.5%) mutations and frameshift (30.0%) inRv0678and low for missense mutations inpepQ(2.6%) andRv1979c(2.9%), but 95% credible intervals were wide.

Conclusions

Bayesian probability estimates of bedaquiline resistance given the presence of a specific mutation could be useful for clinical decision-making as it presents interpretable probabilities compared to standard odds ratios. For a newly emerging variant, the probability of resistance for the variant type and gene can still be used to guide clinical decision-making. Future studies should investigate the feasibility of using Bayesian probabilities for bedaquiline resistance in clinical practice.
Nutrition knowledge, diet quality and orthorexic behaviors in Polish students–a pre-post repeated cross-sectional study
Authors: Plichta Marta , Jezewska-Zychowicz Marzena
Published: June 2023

Nutrition knowledge acquired in college students may not only help in promoting an adequate diet, but also lead to excessive preoccupation with healthy eating, which is referred to as orthorexic behaviors. This study aimed to assess the relationship between nutrition knowledge, diet quality and orthorexic behaviors among college students of food and nutrition majors. Data were collected from a sample of 131 college students through a pre-post repeated cross-sectional study conducted from 2018 to 2021. The participants were asked to complete the ORTO-6 questionnaire, the nutrition knowledge test “GAROTA”, and the Beliefs and Eating Habits Questionnaire (KomPAN). The results indicated that students’ preoccupation with healthy eating (orthorexic behaviors score) during the study period did not change, in contrast nutrition knowledge and diet quality increased. There was no correlation between the orthorexic behaviors score and the nutrition knowledge score, both at the beginning and end of the study. At the beginning of the study, the orthorexic behaviors score correlated positively with “Pro-Healthy Diet Index” and “Diet-Quality Index”, and inversely with “Non-Healthy Diet Index”. However, at the end of the study, no significant correlations were observed between these variables. It can be concluded that nutrition knowledge determined positively the quality of the diet of students in food and nutrition majors, while did not affect the occurrence of orthorexic behaviors.
Football players’ strength training method using image processing based on machine learning
Authors: Cao Xiaoxiang , Zhao Xiaodong , Tang Huan , Fan Nianchun , Zereg Fateh
Published: June 2023

This work addresses the declining physical fitness levels observed in both football players and the general population. The objective is to investigate the impact of functional strength training on the physical capabilities of football players and to develop a machine learning-based approach for posture recognition. A total of 116 adolescents aged 8 to 13 participating in football training are randomly assigned to either an experimental group (n = 60) or a control group (n = 56). Both groups underwent 24 training sessions, with the experimental group engaging in 15–20 minutes of functional strength training after each session. Machine learning techniques, specifically the backpropagation neural network (BPNN) in deep learning, are utilized to analyze the kicking actions of football players. Movement speed, sensitivity, and strength are employed as input vectors for the BPNN to compare the images of players’ movements, while the similarity between the kicking actions and standard movements served as the output result to enhance training efficiency. The experimental group’s kicking scores are compared to their pre-experiment scores, demonstrating a statistically significant improvement. Moreover, statistically significant differences are observed in the 5*25m shuttle running, throwing, and set kicking between the control and experimental groups. These findings highlight the significant enhancement in strength and sensitivity achieved through functional strength training in football players. The results contribute to the development of training programs for football players and the overall improvement of training efficiency.
The weekend effect in kidney transplantation outcomes: A meta-analysis
Authors: Wang Haifeng , Yi Yi , Xiao Tan , Li Aiqing , Liu Yongfei , Huang Xiaoli
Published: June 2023

Objective

To determine whether kidney transplants performed during weekends have worse outcomes than those performed during weekdays.

Methods

For this systematic review, PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library (January 2000 to January 2023) were searched. We examined the survival rates of patients and grafts for hospital inpatients admitted during weekends and those admitted during weekdays. To be included, the study had to be in English and had to provide discrete survival data around weekends versus weekdays, including patients who were admitted as inpatients over the weekend.

Results

Five studies (n = 163,506 patients) were examined. The hazards ratio (HR) of the survival rate of patients with weekend transplantation was 1.01 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.96 to 1.06) when compared with patients with weekday transplantation. Patients who had renal transplant on weekends had an overall allograft survival HR of 1.01 (95% CI, 0.99 to 1.03) and death-censored allograft survival HR of 1.01 (95% CI, 0.98 to 1.04). Comparison of length of hospital stay, rejection, surgical complications, and vascular complications between renal transplants on weekends and those on weekdays showed no statistical difference.

Conclusion

Hospital inpatients admitted for renal transplantation during weekends have a survival rate similar to that of inpatients admitted during weekdays. The weekend effect of renal transplantation was very weak; hence, transplantations done during weekends and weekdays are both appropriate.
In Which Sense, If Any, Is Educational Theory ‘Political’? A Pragmatist Perspective
Authors: Wortmann Kai
Published: June 2023

This paper tackles the question of in which sense, if any, educational theory should be considered as ‘political’. From a pragmatist perspective it evaluates three meanings of the term: first, the political as an exception, such as Rancière’s interruption of the existing order, and second, the political as something that is always already given, such as in Derrida’s concept of iteration. Third, the paper turns towards Rorty’s plea for understanding philosophy as cultural politics, i.e., as intervention into the ongoing public discourse. It is argued that this third meaning of the term is better suited for understanding the political of educational theory as it is realistically modest and enables to analyze the political effectiveness of educational theory. These considerations are framed by both a reflection on the very possibility of drawing distinctions between theory and politics as well as an outlook on possible consequences following from an understanding of educational theory as cultural politics. In the outlook, the paper asks why we can hardly see any publicly relevant educational theory and provides suggestions for a “caring critique”, a careful attitude towards our own researching practices, situations, and assemblies.
The pangenome structure of human pathogen Mycobacterium kansasii
Authors: Sur Saubashya
Published: June 2023

The non-tuberculous Mycobacterium kansasii, is the causative agent of destructive pulmonary and extrapulmonary infections in immunocompromised persons. Incessant use of multiple antibiotics and lack of effective vaccines did little to combat M. kansasii mediated infections. Here, a bioinformatic analysis has been carried out using PanExplorer, to analyze the pangenome aimed at functional characterization of the bacterium, understanding it’s pathogenic lifestyle and recognize the factors shaping evolution and variations amongst strains. M. kansasii had a large core genome (60.2%), a small (11.9%) dispensable genome and 27.9% strain-specific genes. The core genome of M. kansasii had a high concentration of COGs (Cluster of orthologous genes) linked to energy production and conversion, amino acid transport and metabolism, nucleotide transport and metabolism, coenzyme transport and metabolism, and secondary me-tabolite biosynthesis, transport and metabolism. Interestingly, numerous genes within the core and dispensable genome were associated with pathogenesis and virulence. Noteworthy among them were type VII secretion, ESX, PP and PPE family proteins. Although, M. kansasii genomes revealed overall relatedness and conservation, genomic rearrangements caused variability within the strains. The information from this analysis could assist future microbial genomics research on M. kansasii, and further studies, e.g., concerning distinctive gene clusters, and evolution.
Aki kimarad, az tényleg lemarad? : Hallgatók mindennapi és munkahelyi fomo-jelenségének és közösségimédia-függőségének összefüggés-vizsgálata három magyar egyetemen
Authors: Kővári Edit , Hargitai Dávid , Liska Fanny
Published: June 2023

A FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) jelensége arra a félelemre utal, amikor egy felhasználó tart attól, hogy az online tartalmakat és mások interakcióit nem láthatja, nem időben reagálhat rájuk, vagy vesz részt élőben az adott aktivitáson. A FOMO érzése szorongáshoz, alvászavarokhoz, a koncentráció hiányához és a közösségi médiától való krónikus függéshez vezethet. Megjelent azonban az “ellentrend”, a Joy of Missing Out: az egészséges “diszkonnektivitás”, az online platformokról történő szándékolt, jó érzésű lecsatlakozás. A szerzők kutatása az általános és munkahelyi FOMO-jelenség dinamikáit vizsgálja a közösségimédia-addikció függvényében. A szakirodalmi elemzés eredményeit a Web of Science adatbázisát alkalmazva összefüggés-vizualizáció illusztrálja. A négy kutatási hipotézis vizsgálatához többváltozós elemzést alkalmaztak. A FOMO-jelenség elemzésénél két faktort azonosítottak: a másokhoz való viszonyítást (online) és a kimaradásélményt (offline). A munkahelyi FOMO esetén is két faktort emeltek ki: a kapcsolati kirekesztést és az információs kirekesztést.
A digitalizáció társadalmi hatásainak vizsgálata hazai szakértők véleményének tükrében
Authors: Obermayer Nóra , Máhr Tivadar , Banász Zsuzsanna
Published: June 2023

A kutatás tárgyát a digitalizáció társadalomra gyakorolt hatásainak vizsgálata képezi magyar szakértők szempontjából. A vizsgált adatok 2021-ben végzett kvalitatív és kvantitatív felmérés eredményeiből származnak, előbbi fókuszcsoportos interjúk formájában zajlott, utóbbi pedig egy online kérdőíves felmérés keretében, amelynek elemzése leíró statisztikával és kapcsolatvizsgálati módszerekkel történt. A kutatás célja a digitalizáció társadalmi hatásainak feltérképezése, annak vizsgálata, hogy a digitalizáció társadalomra gyakorolt hatásainak megítélése függ-e a kutatásba bevont szakértő egyéni (életkor, végzettség) vagy szervezeti (képviselt szervezet szektora) jellemzőjétől. Az elemzések eredményei útmutatást nyújthatnak a digitális szakpolitikában döntéshozóknak a beavatkozás fő területeinek meghatározásában.
Ipari digitalizációra való felkészülés eltérő méretű hazai cégeknél
Authors: Katona Andrea , Birkner Zoltán , Németh Kornél , Péter Erzsébet
Published: June 2023

A magyarországi cégek egyre inkább nyitnak az Ipar 4.0 technológia gyakorlati megvalósítása felé. A szerzők feltáró jelleggel kvantitatív kérdőíves kutatást végeztek, amely során kis-, közepes és nagyvállalatok vezetőit kérdezték meg az Ipar 4.0 felkészültségükről, az Ipar 4.0-val kapcsolatos terveikről. A kérdőíves kutatás során 140 céget kerestek fel, és leíró statisztikai módszert alkalmaztak. Kutatásukban abból a feltételezésből indultak ki, hogy a vezető piaci viselkedést követő vállalatoknál az Ipar 4.0 stratégia jellemzően már kialakították és a digitális transzformáció bevezetésétől leginkább a piaci pozíció javulását várják a vállalatok. Vizsgálták továbbá, hogy releváns-e a vállalati kultúraváltozás menedzselése és támogatása, és vajon elegendő-e a hazai piacon fellelhető Ipar 4.0-hoz köthető K+F szolgáltatások a cégek számára. Vizsgálatukból kiderült, hogy egyre több vállalat tette meg az első lépéseket az ipari digitalizáció irányába, amely gyökeresen változtatja meg a cégek belső folyamatait. A KKV-k közül sokan még felkészültebbek a változásokra, mint a nagyobb cégek.
Taming the time zone: National large-scale assessments as instruments of time in the Russian Federation
Authors: Piattoeva Nelli , Vasileva Nadezhda
Published: June 2023

Nationwide large-scale assessments (NLSA)—an example of cross-border policy mobility—manifest a proliferating means of governing formal schooling. In the Russian context, NLSA takes the form of a compulsory graduation examination called the Unified State Examinations (USE). In this article, we explore how a mobile policy instrument of the NLSA participates in the relational processes of time- and space-making in a particular federated context of Russia, and how this process intertwines with and is shaped by the presence of multiple time zones. We argue that NLSA is an instrument of time that attempts to achieve centralization of the complex federated structure of the Russian Federation. Yet, the work of the NLSA is not a smooth process in a country characterized by territorial vastness, a complex federated structure, and the existence of multiple time zones. Guided by the theory of logistical power and sociological perspectives on time, as well as empirical insights, we show how the time zones need to be tamed in order for the NLSA to exercise its centralizing role. Discursively, the time zone is introduced and publicly discussed to symbolically characterize Russia and justify political actions or their outcomes. Bureaucratically, the desire for simultaneity and synchronicity takes the form of a meticulous ordering of a sequence of actions through prescriptive documentation that regulates the NLSA. Technologically, synchronicity, simultaneity, and instantaneousness rely on and engender an expanding national infrastructure that mediates social relations and the processes of conducting the NLSA, cutting across the time zones and federal units. Based on this analysis, we propose that scholarship on policy mobility and education policy sociology at large could benefit from examining the relationship between time and education policy and governance in four intertwined ways: the time of policy, context as time, policy instruments as instruments of time, and time in policy instruments.
Optimizing cutting fluid usage in cutting processes on CNC machines: A conceptual digital twin model for ecological sustainability
Authors: Barać Milica , Vitković Nikola , Marinković Dragan , Janković Predrag , Mišić Dragan
Published: June 2023

The increasing demand for environmentally friendly manufacturing processes has led to the need for optimizing the use of cutting fluids in turning and milling processes. Cutting fluids are commonly used in cutting processes to reduce tool wear and improve cutting performance. However, cutting fluids have a negative impact on environment and human health. This paper proposes a conceptual model of аn information system based on digital twin of the production process. This system will enable monitoring of the manufacturing process and provide a decision support system for helping industrial engineers manage its parameters. The model is represented by using SADT (Structured Analysis and Design Technique), and it is presented by using one of the most common problems of optimizing cutting fluid usage in cutting processes on CNC machines from an ecological perspective. The proposed model considers various cutting process parameters (cutting speed, feed rate, depth of cut) and cutting environment factors (cutting process temperature) to determine the optimal cutting fluid flow rate. To optimize the usage of cutting fluid, the smart information system acquires, processes, and stores data from cutting process temperature and cutting fluid flow sensors to establish the correlation between process parameters and sensor data, which is then used to develop a model. The proposed model can be integrated with existing CNC machines to reduce environmental impact while maintaining high productivity. This paper provides a promising approach for optimizing cutting fluid usage in CNC machining processes while promoting ecological sustainability.
EVALUATION OF CHILD-FRIENDLY HOTEL: THE CASE OF SİDE DISTRICT
Authors: SAĞIR Mehmet , GÜDÜL Ayşegül
Published: June 2023

Today, people research the tourism business where they will stay for holiday in many ways and they prefer it according to the features of the business and the services it provides. For this reason, tourism businesses pay more attention to different services in order to gain competitive advantage by responding to the needs and expectations of tourists in the best way. Families with children tend to tourism businesses that can meet the expectations of their children and make them satisfied more than themselves when they go on vacation. In order to be the tourism business preferred by the tourists who have such expectations, some hotels offer more and differentiated services for families and their children to receive a safe, comfortable and satisfying holiday service. These hotels are referred to as “child-friendly hotels”. In the process of making a choice, the evaluations made by the guests on different platforms regarding child-friendly hotels are of great importance for families. As a result of the evaluations, families prefer hotels that are suitable for them and their children. In this study, it is aimed to evaluate the child-friendly hotels in the Side region within the framework of the points they have received from their guests according to their criteria, to rank them according to their scores and to determine the degree of importance of the criteria. Among the child-friendly hotels in the region, the evaluations about 19 hotels on the internet were reached, but due to the deficiencies in the evaluations, 8 hotels with accurate data were selected and these hotels were analyzed with the TOPSIS method. Within the scope of the analysis, the general score, features, cleanliness, comfort, food, price balance, service, location, building and rooms criteria of the hotels were evaluated. As a result of the analysis, an evaluation ranking was made among the hotels in the region according to the guest scorings.
Different forms of innovation leadership in the strategic planning of municipalities in the structurally affected regions of Czechia
Authors: Beneš Luděk
Published: June 2023

This paper examines different forms of leadership in strategic planning in structurally affected regions of Czechia. Based on the leadership concepts and strategic planning in municipalities, evaluates different leadership approaches according to the population size of municipalities and the stability/continuity of municipal representatives. Four types of leaders were identified, with entrepreneurial leadership being the most important in all examined regions. The dependence of the types of leadership on the stability/ continuity of government in strategic planning was revealed, while, the dependence on the population size of municipalities was no. The importance of entrepreneurial leadership increases with the increasing number of electoral cycles elected leaders remain in office.
Case report of hepatic retiform hemangioendothelioma: A rare tumor treated with ultrasound-guided microwave ablation
Authors: Qin Tian-Tian , Cao Li-Ting , Lu Li-Xia , Wang Xiu-Li , Zhang Jiu-Cong , Li Bin , Yu Xiao-Hui , Ren Xiao-Long
Published: June 2023

Retiform hemangioendothelioma (RH) is a type of low-grade malignant angiosarcoma. It commonly involves the skin and subcutaneous tissue of the lower extremities, but a few cases have been reported in the gut. However, hepatic RH has not been previously reported. This report presents the case of RH of the liver in a 61-year-old woman who was admitted to the hospital having presented with liver space–occupying lesions of 2 months evolution. The patient underwent an abdominal ultrasound examination, which indicated a hemangioma, but abdominal computed tomography diagnosed a liver abscess. In order to determine the nature of the lesion, an ultrasound-guided liver biopsy was performed, after which a pathological diagnosis confirmed the presence of RH in the liver. The patient underwent ultrasound-guided microwave ablation three times and has been followed up for 8 years with no tumor recurrence or metastasis. Surgical excision is still the first choice for the treatment of hepatic RH. As shown in this case, however, for patients who refuse to undergo surgery or have surgical contraindications, ultrasound-guided microwave ablation is an alternative treatment option. The report of this case expands the scope of liver tumors to a certain extent and provides a reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment.
A comprehensive and detailed within-host modeling study involving crucial biomarkers and optimal drug regimen for type I Lepra reaction: A deterministic approach
Authors: Nayak Dinesh , Chhetri Bishal , Vamsi Dasu Krishna Kiran , Muthusamy Swapna , Bhagat Vijay M.
Published: June 2023

Leprosy (Hansen’s disease) is an infectious, neglected tropical disease caused by the Mycobacterium Leprae (M. Leprae). About 2,02,189 new cases are diagnosed worldwide each year. Lepra reactions are an off shoot of leprosy infection causing major nerve damage leading to disability. Early detection of lepra reactions through the study of biomarkers can prevent subsequent disabilities. Motivated by these observations, in this study, we have proposed and analyzed a three-dimensional mathematical model to capture the dynamics of susceptible schwann cells, infected schwann cells, and the bacterial load based on the pathogenesis of leprosy. We did the stability analysis, numerical simulations, and also performed the sensitivity analysis using Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient, partial rank correlation coefficient, and Sobol’s index methods. We later performed the optimal control studies with both multi-drug therapy and steroid interventions as control variables. Finally, we did the comparative and effectiveness study of these different control interventions.
Successive intertwining of young consumers’ reliance on social media influencers
Authors: Tsourela Maria
Published: June 2023

This study investigates young consumers’ reliance on social media influencers (SMIs) in the context of social commerce. With regard to the four streams of influencer endorsement – influencer credibility, influencer attractiveness, match-up, and meaning transfer – we propose that they can either lead to a direct consumer reliance on SMIs’ suggestions for their purchasing decisions, or that attitudes toward SMIs mediate the relationship. By integrating both directions of partial- and no-attitude mediation, the proposed model explores all associations in order to better understand connections and driving forces between endorsement streams, attitudes, and reliance. We introduce the concept of reliance on SMIs, understood here as the degree to which young individuals base their preferences, lifestyles, and purchasing decisions upon SMIs. A research model was validated by examining 809 young individuals. The results reveal that attitude formation is affected by all four endorsement streams, and fully mediates the relationship between these endorsement streams and young people’s reliance on SMIs. The differentiated reliance levels by gender and age confirm that females and teenagers tend to rely more on SMIs. The current study offers the first evidence for a relationship between the four endorsement streams and reliance on SMIs via attitude formation in the context of social media networking, as well as the association of reliance with sociodemographic characteristics.
Effect of noble bacteria Ochrobactrum intermedium (Alhpa-22) on decolorization of methyl orange dye in a bioreactor
Authors: Mishra Anshuman , Singh Dhananjay , Singh Ram Sharan , Singh Deepak , Mishra Vinay , Giri Balendu Shekher
Published: June 2023

In this study Ochrobactrum intermedium (Alhpa-22) was isolated from petroleum refinery sludge and characterized by using 16rRNA. In experimentation, for decolrization of methyl orange dye an indigenous noble bacterial ochrobactrum intermedium (Alhpa-22) at 35 °C has been used in a bioreactor. The ochrobactrum bacterial decolorized methyl orange dye having the concentration of 50 mgL−1 by 87 % within 9 days, which is a very encouraging result. decolorization of methyl orange dye by the isolated bacteria was elucidated using a UV–Vis spectrophotometer. The experimental data were fitted first and zero order kinetics models which show degradation of dye follows first order kinetics in presence of Lysinibacillus fusiformis KLm1, bacterial ochrobactrum intermedium (Alhpa-22) and mix consortia of Lysinibacillus fusiformis KLm1 and ochrobactrum intermedium (Alhpa-22). The rate constant were estimated to be 0.017 h−1, 0.020 h−1 and 0.014 h−1 respectively. Due to its higher decolorizing capability these may be used for the bioremediation of methyl orange dye (azo dye).
Green SÖP Extended: The Socio-Ecological Panel Surveys 2020 and 2022
Authors: Frondel Manuel , Matejko Leonie , Osberghaus Daniel , Sommer Stephan , Vance Colin
Published: June 2023

The proliferation of instruments targeted at combatting climate change necessitates evidence-based evaluation to identify strategies that are not only effective and cost-efficient, but also supported by the population. In Germany, the data needed to support such analysis is scarce, however. A rare exception is Green SÖP, a panel data set that was established within the project Eval-MAP funded by the German Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). Green SÖP encompasses household data collected by the survey institute forsa over four years, spanning 2012–2015. The BMBF-funded project Eval-MAP 2 extended the Green SÖP panel data set by two additional surveys conducted in 2020 and 2022, covering both mitigation and adaptation behavior.
Syndrome of inappropriate secretion of anti-diuretic hormone due to hypothalamic hamartoma: use of tolvaptan
Authors: Moon Rebecca Jane , Soliman Maisara , Hoogenboom Lieke , Gilbert Rodney D. , Bird-Lieberman Georgina , Singh Jaspal , Bockenhauer Detlef , Kumaran Anitha
Published: June 2023

Objectives

Hypothalamic hamartoma (HH) typically presents with gonadotrophin-dependent precocious puberty and/or seizures. Other endocrine disturbances are rare. We describe an infant with syndrome of inappropriate secretion of anti-diuretic hormone (SIADH) and a HH.

Case presentation

A 6-week-old infant presented with seizures and life-threatening hyponatremia. A HH was identified on magnetic resonance imaging. Clinical examination and biochemistry were consistent with SIADH, and serum copeptin was high during hyponatremia, further supporting this diagnosis. Tolvaptan was effective in normalizing plasma sodium and enabling liberalization of fluids to ensure sufficient nutritional intake and weight gain and manage hunger.

Conclusions

Hyponatremia due to SIADH is novel at presentation of a HH, and can be challenging to diagnose and manage. Successful management of hyponatremia in this case was achieved using tolvaptan.
An approach for an extension of the deflagration model in containment code system COCOSYS to separate burned and unburned atmosphere via junctions
Authors: Hoffrichter Johannes , Koch Marco K.
Published: June 2023

In case of a postulated severe accident in a water-cooled nuclear power plant significant amounts of hydrogen (H2) and carbon monoxide (CO) can be generated and released into the containment or reactor building where it might form a combustible mixture with air assuming passive autocatalytic recombiners are not available. In case of ignition, pressure peaks might occur, that are relevant for the integrity of safety relevant equipment and the containment or reactor building. It is therefore important for safety analysis to be able to correctly predict combustion phenomena that might occur. The accident analysis code AC2 2021.0 which is developed by Gesellschaft für Anlagen- und Reaktorsicherheit (GRS) includes the Containment Code System (COCOSYS version 3.1) for the simulation of containment phenomena. COCOSYS contains the model FRONT for the simulation of premixed deflagration of H2 and CO. Recent code validation using H2 deflagration tests conducted in the multi-compartment THAI+ test facility shows that the flame propagation stops prematurely in simulations of some tests. This is partly attributed to the missing separation of burned and unburned atmosphere which leads to a reduction in fuel concentration in not yet burning zones connected to a burning zone. Model improvement potential was identified which is addressed in this paper. A model extension to separate burned and unburned atmosphere via a junction model is proposed and implemented into a development version of COCOSYS 3.1. First validation results using the THAI test HD-39 are discussed that show improved prediction capability by the extended model.
Influence of tool pin shape and rotation speed for friction stir spot welding of AZ91 magnesium alloy sheets
Authors: Ekinci Omer , Balalan Zulkuf
Published: June 2023

Light weight design is believed one of the most effective ways to enhance performance, reduce fuel consumption and harmful gases for air and land vehicles. Hence, welding lightweight metals like magnesium alloys is very important. Friction stir spot welding joints of 2 mm thick AZ91 magnesium alloy sheets by overlapping two of them were performed utilizing two welding tools having conical and triangular pin at 800, 1200 and 1600 revolution per minute (rpm) tool rotational velocities for each tool to identify the pin shape and rotation speed impact on microstructure and mechanical features of the created joints. The stir zones of the joints contained smaller grains, therefore had higher hardness in comparison to AZ91 base metal, thermo-mechanically affected zone (TMAZ) and heat affected zone (HAZ). The lowest hardness values were found in HAZ of the welds. Hardness fell slightly with a rise in rotation speed for both tools because of more heat input. Strength of the joints manufactured applying the triangular pin tool was better because this pin mixed materials better, thus created joints with bigger welding area and greater hardness. The strongest weld was fabricated by applying triangular pin tool and 1600 rpm.
Fluorescence enhancement of PbS colloidal quantum dots from silicon metasurfaces sustaining bound states in the continuum
Authors: Liu Li , Wang Ruxue , Sun Yuwei , Jin Yi , Wu Aimin
Published: June 2023

PbS colloidal quantum dots (CQDs) can be considered a promising lighting material, but their emission performance is mired by defect sites, strong photo-induced activity, and interaction with the environment. Here, we utilize periodic silicon metasurface sustaining a symmetry-protected bound state in the continuum to enhance the near-infrared emission of PbS CQDs at room temperature. In the experimental investigation, it is observed that the fluorescence of the coated PbS CQDs is enhanced by 10 times by the fabricated metasurface, and the emission peak has a quality factor up to 251 at wavelength 1408 nm. Meanwhile, the potential of this work in sensing is demonstrated by showing that the enhanced emission is disturbed by the introduction of sparse gold nanoparticles. In all, this work confirms that dielectric metasurfaces sustaining bound states in the continuum can be adopted to efficiently improve the emission performance of PbS CQDs which may find various practical applications including on-chip silicon-based optical sources and integrated sensors.