bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterization and genomics analysis of phage PGX1 against multidrug-resistant enterotoxigenic E. coli with in vivo and in vitro efficacy assessment
Authors: Hu Dayue , Qian Ping , Gao Dongyang , Li Xinxin , Wang Linkang , Ji Hongyue , Wang Shuang , Li Xiangmin
Published: March 2024

Enterotoxigenic E. coli is one of the bacterial pathogens contributing to the global resistance crisis in public health and animal husbandry. The problem of antibiotic resistance is becoming more and more serious, and phage is considered one of the potential alternatives to antibiotics that could be utilized to treat bacterial infections. Our study isolated and identified a lytic phage PGX1 against multidrug-resistant enterotoxigenic E. coli EC6 strain from sewage. The phage lysis profile revealed that PGX1 exhibited a lytic effect on multidrug-resistant enterotoxigenic E. coli strains of serotype O60. Through phage whole genome sequencing and bioinformatics analysis, PGX1 was found to be the class Caudoviricetes, family Autographiviridae, genus Teseptimavirus. The length of the PGX1 genome is about 37,009 bp, containing 54 open reading frames (ORFs). Notably, phage PGX1 lacks any lysogenic-related genes or virulence genes. Furthermore, phage PGX1 demonstrates strong adaptability, tolerance, and stability in various pH (pH4-10) and temperatures (4–40°C). The in vivo and in vitro tests demonstrated that phage PGX1 significantly removes and inhibits the formation of multidrug-resistant EC6 biofilm and effectively controls the Galleria mellonella larvae and enterotoxigenic E. coli EC6 during mice infection. In conclusion, the above findings demonstrated that phage PGX1 may be a novel antimicrobial agent to control multidrug-resistant E. coli infections.
Palliative and End-of-Life Care in Hematologic Malignancies: Progress and Opportunities
Authors: Tsang Mazie , LeBlanc Thomas W.
Published: March 2024

@JCOOP_ASCO editorial on unique needs of end-of-life care for different blood cancers discusses: #pallheme improves QOL but less utilized in cancers. Contextualize Weisse et al study. More #pallheme research needed for lymphoma and myeloma in era of cell therapy
Genetic Links Between Metabolic Syndrome and Osteoarthritis: Insights From Cross-Trait Analysis
Authors: Huang Ji-Xiang , Xu Shu-Zhen , Tian Tian , Wang Jing , Jiang Ling-Qiong , He Tian , Meng Shi-Yin , Ni Jing , Pan Hai-Feng
Published: March 2024

Context

Previous observational studies have indicated a bidirectional association between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and osteoarthritis (OA). However, it remains unclear whether these bidirectional associations reflect causal relationships or shared genetic factors, and the underlying biological mechanisms of this association are not fully understood.

Objective

We aimed to explore the genetic connection between MetS and OA using genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary data.

Methods

Leveraging summary statistics from GWAS conducted by the UK Biobank and the Glucose and Insulin-related Traits Consortium (MAGIC), we performed global genetic correlation analyses, genome-wide cross-trait meta-analyses, and a bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization analyses using summary statistics from GWAS to comprehensively assess the relationship of MetS and OA.

Results

We first detected an extensive genetic correlation between MetS and OA (rg = 0.393, P = 1.52 × 10−18), which was consistent in 4 MetS components, including waist circumference, triglycerides, hypertension, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and OA with rg ranging from −0.229 to 0.490. We then discovered 32 variants jointly associated with MetS and OA through Multi-Trait Analysis of GWAS (MTAG). Co-localization analysis found 12 genes shared between MetS and OA, with functional implications in several biological pathways. Finally, Mendelian randomization analysis suggested genetic liability to MetS significantly increased the risk of OA, but no reverse causality was found.

Conclusion

Our results illustrate a common genetic architecture, pleiotropic loci, as well as causality between MetS and OA, potentially enhancing our knowledge of high comorbidity and genetic processes that overlap between the 2 disorders.
Sound and Silence
Authors: Lianke Yan , Rojas Carlos
Published: March 2024

Yan Lianke is a world-renowned author of novels, short stories, and essays whose provocative and nuanced writing explores the reality of everyday life in contemporary China. In Sound and Silence, Yan compares his literary project to a blind man carrying a flashlight at night whose role is to help others perceive the darkness that surrounds them. Often described as China's most censored author, Yan reflects candidly on literary censorship in contemporary China. He outlines the Chinese state's project of national amnesia that suppresses memories of past crises and social traumas. Although being banned in China is often a selling point in foreign markets, Yan argues that there is no necessary correlation between censorship and literary quality. Among other topics, Yan also examines the impact of American literature on Chinese literature in the 1980s and 1990s. Encapsulating his perspectives on life, writing, and literary history, Sound and Silence includes an introduction by translator Carlos Rojas and an afterword by Yan.
Is Robotic Surgery the Future for Resectable Esophageal Cancer?: A Systematic Literature Review of Oncological and Clinical Outcomes
Authors: Patel Nikhil Manish , Patel Pranav Harshad , Yeung Kai Tai Derek , Monk David , Mohammadi Borzoueh , Mughal Muntzer , Bhogal Ricky Harminder , Allum William , Abbassi-Ghadi Nima , Kumar Sacheen
Published: March 2024

Background

Radical esophagectomy for resectable esophageal cancer is a major surgical intervention, associated with considerable postoperative morbidity. The introduction of robotic surgical platforms in esophagectomy may enhance advantages of minimally invasive surgery enabled by laparoscopy and thoracoscopy, including reduced postoperative pain and pulmonary complications. This systematic review aims to assess the clinical and oncological benefits of robot-assisted esophagectomy.

Methods

A systematic literature search of the MEDLINE (PubMed), Embase and Cochrane databases was performed for studies published up to 1 August 2023. This review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) protocols and was registered in the PROSPERO database (CRD42022370983). Clinical and oncological outcomes data were extracted following full-text review of eligible studies.

Results

A total of 113 studies (n = 14,701 patients, n = 2455 female) were included. The majority of the studies were retrospective in nature (n = 89, 79%), and cohort studies were the most common type of study design (n = 88, 79%). The median number of patients per study was 54. Sixty-three studies reported using a robotic surgical platform for both the abdominal and thoracic phases of the procedure. The weighted mean incidence of postoperative pneumonia was 11%, anastomotic leak 10%, total length of hospitalisation 15.2 days, and a resection margin clear of the tumour was achieved in 95% of cases.

Conclusions

There are numerous reported advantages of robot-assisted surgery for resectable esophageal cancer. A correlation between procedural volume and improvements in outcomes with robotic esophagectomy has also been identified. Multicentre comparative clinical studies are essential to identify the true objective benefit on outcomes compared with conventional surgical approaches before robotic surgery is accepted as standard of practice.
Examining the Technical Issues in Teletherapy for Children with Developmental Delays
Authors:   School of Business and Management, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Resandono Debraldi , Basri Mursyid Hasan
Published: March 2024

Abstract. Medical digitization has advanced in developing countries, improving work efficiency. Teletherapy has emerged from this advancement. Nevertheless, teletherapy has encountered obstacles, such as software and hardware issues. Problems arose from technological factors such as slow connectivity, inadequate hardware specs, and poor audiovisual. This study aims to examine the technical issues related to teletherapy for children with developmental delays. By implementing descriptive statistical approaches with 43 participants, we found that patients struggled to be involved in teletherapy, resulting in the need for special guidance in the process. Therapists felt their clients' places were extremely crowded, and the low video quality of their devices hampered their ability to conduct optimal observations. Patients had a higher level of satisfaction and interest than therapists, meaning the patients would likely continue to be involved in the future. We also came up with another finding indicating that confidentiality has not become a major concern since building an intimate therapeutic relationship and learning to operate technology are still top priorities. Henceforth, implementing teletherapy would need a solid strategy in the future. Keywords: Children, digitization, technical issues, teletherapy, therapists
Can Firm Size as a Moderating Variable Enhance Profitability in Islamic Banks in Indonesia?
Authors:   Universitas Muhammadiyah Riau, Sulistyandari Sulistyandari , Kusumah Alum , Fikri Khusnul , Bakaruddin Bakaruddin
Published: March 2024

Abstract. This study aims to assess the impact of CAR, NPF, and BOPO variables on the profitability of Islamic commercial banks, considering firm size as a moderating variable. A quantitative methodology is used in this research, where secondary data is collected from the annual financial statements of Islamic commercial banks for the period of 2018 to 2021. The structural equation modelling (SEM) method is used to conduct data analysis. The research findings indicate that CAR has a significant positive effect on profitability, while NPF and BOPO have no significant effect. However, firm size is found to significantly moderate the effects of CAR and BOPO on profitability. The implications of this study highlight the importance of considering firm size in planning the policies and operational strategies of Islamic commercial banks to strengthen the relationship between these factors and the desired level of profitability. This study provides new insights into understanding the factors that influence the profitability of Islamic commercial banks and makes a significant contribution to the literature on Islamic banking. Keywords: Islamic Bank, Profitability, Capital Adequacy Ratio, Non-Performing Financing, Operational Expenses, Operational Revenue
Carbon Emissions Trading and Environmental Protection: International Evidence
Authors: Bai Jennie , Ru Hong
Published: March 2024

We study how the implementation of emissions trading systems (ETSs) impacts emissions reductions and the usage of renewable energy using a panel sample of the largest 100 countries worldwide. Exploiting cross-country variations in ETS implementations, we show that ETS adoption materially reduced greenhouse gas (carbon dioxide) emissions by 12.1% (18.1%). Moreover, ETSs reduced overall emissions by cutting the usage of fossil fuels such as coal by 23.70% while boosting the usage of renewable energy by 61.59%, on average. In contrast, introducing carbon taxes has a less effective impact on emissions reduction. It fails to boost the usage of renewable energy, though elevating tax rates and expanding tax coverage may help enhance the efficacy of carbon taxes.

This paper was accepted by Victoria Ivashina, finance.

Funding: H. Ru thanks the financial support from the Nanyang Technological University, and Ministry of Education, Singapore, under its Tier 1 RG134/20.

Supplemental Material: The online appendix and data files are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2023.03143 .
Are Top Management Teams Compensated as Teams? A Structural Modeling Approach
Authors: Li Chen
Published: March 2024

I develop two empirical models to quantify agency friction caused by moral hazard in top management teams. They capture shareholders’ distinct perspectives on compensating top managers: the Individual Model, in which managers in a firm unilaterally shirk, and the Team Model, in which managers choose effort jointly. The Team Model rationalizes observed compensation better than the Individual Model, underlining the importance of managerial coordination and team-based incentives. This paper also offers novel estimates of agency friction in a team production setting. Risk premium explains a large portion of the pay differential across and within firms. Firm value would have dropped between 4% and 15% if managers shirked. Additional counterfactual estimation suggests that shareholders could reduce the total compensation by up to $17 million if they were to switch from the individual perspective to the team perspective.

This paper was accepted by Shivaram Rajgopal, accounting.

Funding: This work was supported by the Professional Staff Congress and the City University of New York (PSC-CUNY) [Grant 67780-00 45].

Supplemental Material: The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2024.4982 .
Mean-Field Multiagent Reinforcement Learning: A Decentralized Network Approach
Authors: Gu Haotian , Guo Xin , Wei Xiaoli , Xu Renyuan
Published: March 2024

One of the challenges for multiagent reinforcement learning (MARL) is designing efficient learning algorithms for a large system in which each agent has only limited or partial information of the entire system. Whereas exciting progress has been made to analyze decentralized MARL with the network of agents for social networks and team video games, little is known theoretically for decentralized MARL with the network of states for modeling self-driving vehicles, ride-sharing, and data and traffic routing. This paper proposes a framework of localized training and decentralized execution to study MARL with the network of states. Localized training means that agents only need to collect local information in their neighboring states during the training phase; decentralized execution implies that agents can execute afterward the learned decentralized policies, which depend only on agents’ current states. The theoretical analysis consists of three key components: the first is the reformulation of the MARL system as a networked Markov decision process with teams of agents, enabling updating the associated team Q-function in a localized fashion; the second is the Bellman equation for the value function and the appropriate Q-function on the probability measure space; and the third is the exponential decay property of the team Q-function, facilitating its approximation with efficient sample efficiency and controllable error. The theoretical analysis paves the way for a new algorithm LTDE-Neural-AC, in which the actor–critic approach with overparameterized neural networks is proposed. The convergence and sample complexity are established and shown to be scalable with respect to the sizes of both agents and states. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first neural network–based MARL algorithm with network structure and provable convergence guarantee.

Funding: X. Wei is partially supported by NSFC no. 12201343. R. Xu is partially supported by the NSF CAREER award DMS-2339240.
The link between underactive thyroid and leg oedema
Authors: Hampton Sylvie
Published: March 2024

There is an established link between hypothyroidism and leg oedema. This article presents a case study of a female known to have an underactive thyroid gland who developed symptoms and was referred to a local Lindsay Leg Club.
ARGUVAN YÖRESİNDEKİ KADIN AĞZI DÖRT TÜRKÜNÜN MÜZİKAL AÇIDAN İNCELENMESİ
Authors: YURDUŞEN ÇANAKÇI Yasemin , DEMİR Sertan
Published: March 2024

Anadolu’daki kültürel zenginliklerin kuşaktan kuşağa aktarımı hususunda önemli paylardan birini kuşkusuz halk türküleri oluşturmuştur. Halk türküleri, toplumun duygu ve düşüncelerine tercüman olması sebebiyle önemli bir misyon edinmiş ve halk tarafından benimsenmiştir. Yöreye uygun ağız ve icra teknikleriyle birlikte kendine özgü bir yapı sergileyen, aynı zamanda araştırmanın temel yapısını da oluşturan Arguvan ilçesi, halk türkülerinin önemli merkezlerinden biri konumundadır. Bu çalışmada, geçmişin kültürel ve müzikal miraslarını içinde barındıran Arguvan yöresinin tarihine, müzik kültürüne, ağız ve kadın ağzı türküleri kavramına yer verilmiştir. Kadın kimliği özelinde kadının yöre müziğindeki yeri ve önemine değinilmiş, Arguvan’da mevcut kadın ağzı türkülerinin az olduğu tespiti ve bunun nedenleri ortaya konulmaya çalışılmıştır. Bu bağlamda Arguvan yöresinde yer alan türkülerin sözel unsurları baz alınarak kadın ağzına yönelik türküler irdelenmiş, betimsel tarama modeli kullanılmış, içerik analizi yönteminden yararlanılmıştır. Bu doğrultuda TRT repertuvarı ve TRT repertuvar dışında yer alan toplam 71 adet Arguvan kırık hava türküleri tespit edilmiş, cinsiyete dayalı kimlik özelinde ve oransal dağılımlarıyla birlikte tablolaştırılarak sunulmuştur. İcra edilen kadın ağzı türkülerinin yörede az oluşundan bahsedilmiş ve “Sabah Olur Oğlan Gider İşine”, “Ağlamadık Günüm Var Mı”, “Fırat Kenarında Yüzen Kayıklar” ve “Yayladan Gel” adlı dört türkü, kadın ağzı türküsü özelinde müzikal açıdan detaylandırılmış ve tablolaştırılarak sunulmuştur.
The Correlation Between Hypocalcemia and Clinical Level of Covid-19 Patients at Sebelas Maret University Hospital
Authors: Udroso Anindya Cahyaningtyas Ardiyanti , Apriningsih Hendrastutik , Raharjo Ahmad Farih
Published: March 2024

Introduction: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) can cause electrolyte imbalances, one of which is hypocalcemia. Hypocalcemia has been identified as a predictor of the severity of Covid-19. This research aimed to determine the correlation between hypocalcemia and the clinical degrees of Covid-19 patients at UNS Hospital.

Method: This study used a cross-sectional design with a population of Covid-19 patients treated at the Covid-19 ward at UNS Hospital in 2020-2022. Samples were collected from medical records by purposive sampling technique that met the inclusion and exclusion criterias.

Results: There were 90 cases of hypocalcemia in Covid-19 patients. Mild hypocalcemia (88.9%) was found more than severe hypocalcemia (11.1%). Hypocalcemia was more common in male sex (54.4%), aged 46-65 years (70%), and in moderate clinical degree (31.1%). The Kolmogorov-Smirnov statistical test results showed a significant correlation between hypocalcemia and the clinical degree of Covid-19 with p=0.009 (p<0.05). The Spearman statistical test results showed that there was a fairly strong and statistically significant correlation between hypocalcemia and the clinical degree of Covid-19 where r=0.310 and p=0.003 (p<0.05).

Conclusion: There is a fairly strong and statistically significant unidirectional correlation between hypocalcemia and the clinical degree of Covid-19 patients.
Modification of Secondary Dyes in Gram Staining Protocol to Increase The Diagnostic Accuracy of Bacterial Vaginosis Infections
Authors: Risqia Rahma Maulida , Maryani Maryani , Murasmita Alamanda
Published: March 2024

Introduction: The diagnosis of bacterial infection can only be made by gram stain with patient information. One of the problems with gram staining is that the resulting microscopic images look dim, making them prone to misinterpretation. Researchers conducted a study on modifying secondary dyes in gram staining to improve the accuracy of the diagnosis of Bacterial vaginosis infections.

Methods: This research is a laboratory experimental study with a cross sectional approach. The sample of this study consisted of anaerobic gram-negative rods on vaginal swabs of patients diagnosed with Bacterial vaginosis at Dr. Moewardi Hospital and Sebelas Maret University Hospital during March to July 2022. The samples were then treated in the form of gram staining with different secondary dyes and then compared.

Results: The color intensity of anaerobic gram-negative rod bacteria samples treated with gram staining using fuchsin secondary dye appeared to be stronger than safranin secondary dye. Likewise, the resulting focus looks clearer. The diagnostic test showed that modification of secondary dyes in gram staining by substituting safranin into fuchsin increased the color intensity and focus of preparations

Conclusion: Modification of secondary dye on gram staining by replacing secondary dye of safranin to fuchsin can improve the quality of gram staining results on anaerobic gram negative bacteria thereby increasing the accuracy of diagnosis and treatment given.
Choledochal Cysts in Female Adult: Diagnostic Pitfall and Conservative Therapy for Bile Leak
Authors: Fuadhi Singgih Annas , Barmawi Agus , Sofii Imam , Setyawan Nurcahya , Handaya Adeodatus Yuda
Published: March 2024

Introduction: Choledochal cysts that are accompanied by obstructive jaundice are a rare case. These cysts can cause intrahepatic or extrahepatic ductal dilatation. Their diagnosis is difficult, particulary in adults. Proper management can prevent further complications.

Methods: A serial case report of a patient with a choledochal cyst.

Results: 2 female patients aged 21 years and 22 years have a painful and fixed lump in the upper right abdomen. The first patient also complained jaundice. Laboratory results showed an increase in total bilirubin and direct bilirubin. The second patient didn’t complaint about jaundice or increased bilirubin, and she had a cholecystectomy when she was ten. The diagnosis was confirmed by a contrast abdominal CT scan, showing type 1A Todani choledochal cysts in both patients. Management of the first patient was cyst excision, cholecystectomy, and Roux n Y hepaticojejunostomy. In the second patient, adhesiolysis, cyst excision, and Roux n Y hepaticojejunostomy were performed. The second patient had no postoperative complications.

Conclusion: Choledochal cysts are a rare congenital condition in adulthood. n both cases, two patients were manage surgically. Bile leakage complications can be manage conservatively. Diagnostic and management of choledochal cysts must be correct to prevent pitfall and complications.
Overview of the Knowledge Level and Behavior of Contact Lens Use among Medical Students of Universitas Kristen Krida Wacana
Authors: Pongtuluran Regina , Mandalahi Elisabeth Elida Elyus , Wangsa Felix Jordan , Widyasa Marni , Anugrahsari Santi
Published: March 2024

Introduction: Contact lenses are intended to treat refractive errors in the eye, as a diagnostic aid, and to support the personal appearance. A case study suggested that contact lenses cause eye diseases due to less knowledge and misbehavior when wearing contact lenses. This study was conducted to know the level of knowledge and behavior of using contact lenses among medical students of Universitas Kristen Krida Wacana (UKRIDA), intake 2016.

Methods: It employed a descriptive analysis with a cross-sectional study. A total of 97 students who use contact lenses filled out a questionnaire in Google form.

Results: The result demonstrated that 91 respondents (94%) had good knowledge about using contact lenses. Regarding behavior, 80 (93%) belonged to a good category.

Conclusion: Their good knowledge and behavior towards using soft contact lenses might minimize their risk of red eye incidence upon using them.

 
Intracranial and Extracranial Vertebrobasilar Artery Stenosis Patient Profile in Dr. Moewardi General Hospital
Authors: Subandi Subandi , Suroto Suroto , Mirawati Diah Kurnia , Danuaji Rivan , Budianto Pepi , Hambarsari Yetty , Hamidi Baarid Luqman , Prabaningtyas Hanindia Riani , Hutabarat Ervina Arta Jayanti , Tejomukti Teddy , Ristinawati Ira , Tedjo Raden Andi Ario , Pretikasari Zefania Yonisa , Hafizhan Muhammad , Putra Stefanus Erdana
Published: March 2024

Introduction: Vertebrobasilar artery stenosis can be extracranial or intracranial, and accounts for up to 20% of posterior circulation ischemic strokes. The gold standard for diagnosing is Digital Subtraction Angiography (DSA), an invasive diagnostic method by injecting a contrast agent into the blood vessels leading to the brain through a catheter. This study aims to determine the profile of patients with intracranial and extracranial vertebrobasilar artery stenosis who underwent DSA procedures.

Methods: This descriptive research was conducted in RSUD Dr. Moewardi in patients who underwent DSA procedures for the period January 2020 to March 2022 and found vertebrobasilar artery stenosis. The study samples were grouped based on the location of the stenosis; intracranial and extracranial. The data collected included age, gender, symptoms, risk factors, degree of stenosis, and angiographic findings.

Results: Of 42 subjects, 33 (78.6%) patients were male. There are 23 (54.8%) patients with intracranial vertebrobasilar stenosis and 19 (45.2%) patients in extracranial. The main symptoms included hemiparesis, vertigo, hemiesthesia, loss of consiciousness, aphasia, dysartria, and dysphagia. The risk factors were 36 (85.7%) patients with hypertension, 18 (42.9%) patients with diabetes mellitus, 18 (42.9%) patients with a history of smoking, and 13 (31%) patients with hyperlipidemia. A total of 8 patients underwent stenting/angioplasty.

Conclusion: The prevalence of vertebrobasilar artery stenosis increases with age, most commonly occurring at the age of 50-59 years..The most common risk factor for vertebrobasilar artery stenosis is hypertension. Management recommendations include a combination of antiplatelet and endovascular therapy.
Correlation Between Acute Phase Delta NIHSS and Quality of Life Score in Post Thrombotic Infarct Stroke Patient in Dr. Moewardi General Hospital via Tele-Stroke Specific Quality of Life-12 Questionnaire (SSQOL-12)
Authors: Tedjo Raden Andi Ario , Savitri Martha Oktavia Dewi , Putra Stefanus Erdana
Published: March 2024

Introduction: Stroke is one of the most common diseases causing disability. Stroke severity assessed using National Institute Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) was recognized affecting quality of life in stroke patients. This study evaluated the NIHSS delta as a predictor of quality of life in thrombotic stroke patients

Methods: This study was conducted from January to September 2022 with cross-sectional approach. At inpatient setting, NIHSS was assessed at admission, first 24 hours, and discharge. Patient’s quality of life was evaluated using the SSQOL-12 questionnaire via telephone. Bivariate linear regression analysis was used to assess this correlation.

Results: Demographic data of 61 patients showed that 65.4% of patients were male, 54.1% of patients aged <60 years, and 67.2% had moderate stroke (NIHSS 6-15). The results of bivariate analysis using linear regression showed that both the 24 hour-delta NIHSS and the delta NIHSS-admission-discharge were positively related to SSQOL-12 score (p = 0.000).

Conclusion: Delta NIHSS can be used as clinical improvement predictor with positive correlation to the quality of life in thrombotic stroke patients
Optimization of Cream Ethanol Extract of Duku Leaves (Lansium domesticum Corr.) as Antibacterial Against Staphylococcus aureus Using the Simplex Lattice Design Method
Authors: Saryanti Dwi , Prameswari Sekar Mayang
Published: March 2024

Introduction: The secondary metabolites flavonoids and triterpenoids in duku leaves have antimicrobial properties. Cream have some drawbacks, including fragility to erratic stirring, brittleness when dried up, and poor storage stability. Triethanolamine reacts with stearic acid will form triethanolamine stearate which can increase stability of the cream. This research aimed to find the ideal ratio of stearic acid to triethanolamine for making an antibacterial composition.

Methods: Optimization of the cream is carried out by Simplex Lattice Design method, made 8 run with the smallest proportion of stearic acid 15g and the highest 17g, and the smallest proportion of triethanolamine 2g and the highest 4g. Responses used in Simplex Lattice Design, namely pH, viscosity, adhesion, and spreadability. T-test was used to verification of the optimal formula and ANOVA was used to analysis of antibacterial data.

Results: The optimal formula was 17 grams of stearic acid and 2 grams of triethanolamine make the optimal cream. The test results show that there is no significant difference between the optimal formula and the predictions in the Simplex Lattice Design software, with a pH of 6.33±0.033, a viscosity of 179.67±0.333, an adhesion of 1.377±0.038, and a spreadability of 5.133±0.044. The best formula has moderate antibacterial activity (6.62±0.007 mm inhibition zone) against Staphylococcus aureus.

Conclusion: The optimal formula has good physical properties and is efficacious as an antibacterial.
Parity of participation: social justice and women’s experiential knowledge in contemporary family violence policy and service development
Authors: Hunt Michelle , Vassos Sevi
Published: March 2024

At a time when public participation in policy and service development is presented as progressive and innovative across many social policy areas, this article critically examines public participation and the inclusion of lived experience as potential sites for social justice. Using Nancy Fraser’s theory of social justice and parity of participation, the article explores the inclusion of lived experience within existing systems and structures of gender hierarchies. Focusing on the Australian family violence sector, the article argues that without a critical analysis of power and the systems that support inequality, the inclusion of lived experience can be tokenistic and disempowering, particularly for women who have experienced family violence. This analysis highlights the need to critically examine public participation measures and the inclusion of lived experience to ensure that there is transformational intent to disrupt power hierarchies, with implications extending beyond the family violence sector.
Corona de Aragón: experiencias políticas y juegos de tiempos. Balance y perspectivas.
Authors: Ledroit Mathias , Hermant Héloïse
Published: March 2024

La «Corona de Aragón» es una noción recurrente en la historiografía, muyútil, pero cuyocontenido exacto resulta difícil de definir, tal y como lo ilustra la confusión terminológica quelo envuelve: confederación, conglomerado compuesto de reinos o, más recientemente, Imperio. Este artículo-ensayo trata de entender la Corona de Aragón en el contexto de una monarquía compuesta y policéntrica entre la Edad Media y la Época Moderna, examinándola a diversas escalas.
La diplomacia del Consell de Cent de Barcelona (siglos XVI - XVII).
Authors: Ledroit Mathias
Published: March 2024

En las dos últimas décadas, se han publicado diversos estudios dedicados a los procuradores de la Monarquía Hispánica quecircularon entre las comunidades de súbditos y la corte a lo largo de los siglos XVI y XVII. El Consell de Cent de Barcelona enviaba procuradores con título de síndicos o embajadores según los casos, a fin de defender sus propios intereses, pero tambiénlos de otros municipios catalanes.Este mecanismo ha suscitado poco interés y ha sido considerado una práctica destinada a paliar el absentismo regio y lacada vez menos frecuente convocatoria de Cortes. Sin negar esta dimensión importante, este artículo pretende poner de realce que esta diplomacia también fue una herramienta que permitió al Consell de Cent interactuar con las demás comunidades de súbditos, tanto en la corte como entre los diferentes centros políticos de la Corona de Aragón
Primeres aportacions sobre el funcionament dels Estaments sards durant el segle XVII: representació, comunicació i diàleg en un regne de la Corona d’Aragó
Authors: Fuertes Broseta Miquel
Published: March 2024

El sistema polític característic de la Corona d’Aragórequeria d’un constant diàleg entrela corona i altres organismes que representaven la comunitat política. Aquesta comunicació política es va articular de maneradiferent en cada territori. El treball s’aproxima a la representació institucional del regne de Sardenya durant el segle XVII i als mecanismes mitjançant aquests organismes canalitzaven les seues comunicacions.
Perceiving the Human through the Nonhuman: Posthumanism in Issac Asimov’s The Bicentennial Man
Authors: Chang Hawk
Published: March 2024

Abstract: Since the late twentieth century, stories of humanoid robots have undermined a clear-cut boundary between humans and nonhumans. Traditionally, the mainstream opinion has been dominated by human-centered discourse, in which robots are invariably nonhumans that are characterized by inferiority, servitude, and lack. This mindset to subordinate robots as servants is outdated, evidenced by Issac Asimov’s novella The Bicentennial Man . In this story, the robot protagonist Andrew is in many aspects similar to humans, and he even commits to becoming a human at the cost of many benefits he enjoys in the form of an immortal machine. Ultimately, what Andrew’s story teaches is not so much related to the changing status of robots as a re-examination of the authentic qualities of humanity. By using the critical lens of posthumanism, this essay focuses on this end and then uses it to consider the expanding world of Artificial Intelligence.
Bombast Circumstance: Linguistic Creativity and Aesthetic Judgment in Early Modern Tragedy
Authors: Hunter Matthew
Published: March 2024

Abstract: This essay recovers bombast as an aesthetic category with singular importance to early modern tragedy. Its argument is that bombast, as language which feels irremediably wrong to its occasion, discloses the secret subject of the genre, which is the challenge—if not the impossibility—of finding language that will be judged right to the occasion of suffering. By attending to moments of bombast in Tamburlaine, The Spanish Tragedy , and Othello , this essay shows how early modern tragedies drive a wedge between linguistic creativity and aesthetic judgment, cultivating language that feels aesthetically and ethically off, as a way of turning tragedy itself into a genre in which language will not fit with its genre.
On phrasal nominalization: A factorial analysis
Authors: Van Eynde Frank
Published: March 2024

Abstract: The phenomenon of phrasal nominalization, as exemplified by the English gerund, raises a challenge for the assumption that a phrase XP is headed by a word of category X. Many proposals have been made to deal with phrasal nominalization, in both multistratal and monostratal frameworks. Some seek to fit it in the endocentric mold; others are plainly exocentric. Comparative evaluations tend to be made along partisan lines (multistratal vs. monostratal) or on the basis of methodological principles (discarding vs. allowing exocentricity). This article aims for a less aprioristic approach, taking generalizability as a criterion for evaluation. More specifically, it investigates three types of phrasal nominalization as they manifest themselves in Dutch, that is, the nominalization of infinitives, adjectives, and participles, providing first a theory-neutral description of the data and then an analysis I call 'factorial' in the sense that it captures both what the three types have in common and what differentiates them. It is cast in the framework of constructional head-driven phrase structure grammar, since the latter's hierarchy of phrase types provides a natural starting point for a factorial analysis. The resulting treatment is exocentric. In a final step I compare it to a number of endocentric alternatives, showing that it scores higher on the scale of generalizability.
Before their very eyes: Enhancing the (pre)literacy skills of deaf children
Authors: Curran Melissa , Mirus Gene , Napoli Donna Jo
Published: March 2024

Abstract: The challenge of supporting literacy among deaf children is as much linguistic as educational, since a major stumbling block can be the lack of a firm first language foundation. It is critical to meet this challenge, given the range of serious negative correlates to illiteracy. Students on the campuses of Gallaudet University and Swarthmore College collaborate to address this issue in an inter-institutional course in which we make bimodal-bilingual videobooks designed for enjoyable shared reading activities between deaf children and their caretakers. These videobooks bring a good signing model into the home and help develop a range of essential preliteracy skills.
Trends of LIS Education and Practice in Asia and Oceania: A Bibliometric Analysis
Authors: Ajis Ahmad Fuzi Md , Zakaria Sohaimi
Published: March 2024

Abstract: This paper identifies the trend of LIS education and practice in the Asia-Oceania region in four areas, namely LIS research, LIS education, library technologies, and library services. A bibliometric analysis was carried out based on the publications indexed by Scopus, ranging from 1979 to 2021. India, China, Iran, and Australia rank the highest for number of publications within the four focus areas and areas of bibliometrics, research productivity, text mining, and big data are frequently being studied recently. Within the past five years, the LIS education sector has been concerned with the quality of LIS education programs and integration of information and communication technology (ICT) in the education delivery. Meanwhile, library technology adoption and services are seeing a positive move toward enhancing the user experience via the latest technology enhancements, such as green technology initiatives, artificial intelligence, and augmented reality apps. Although several studies have reported on the trends in LIS fields, scarcely any research has been carried out in the area of LIS education and practices as a whole, particularly focusing on Asia and Oceania. This study elucidates the most recent trends of LIS education and practices, including all recent innovations and explorations within the specific areas analyzed in the study.
Réciter le temps écologique: Mythes et mémoires du colonialisme nucléaire français
Authors: Caswell Pierre-Elliot
Published: March 2024

Abstract: À l'heure du changement climatique, l'énergie atomique se voit à nouveau investie, en métropole, d'une mission pacifique, salvatrice et écologique malgré son passé polluant et ses liens avec le colonialisme nucléaire en Polynésie française. Tout en traçant l'évolution des mythes qui accompagnent le registre atomique et obstruent sa trajectoire historique en Océanie, cet article se penche sur le rôle des processus narratifs à l'aune du colonialisme nucléaire et de ses ramifications dans le présent. À partir de l'œuvre du plasticien tahitien Alexander Lee, Recitations from the Great Fish Changing Skies (2008), nous verrons comment, grâce à une véritable récitation visuelle, l'installation permet d'entraver le système mythologique du référent atomique, de conserver la pratique narrative cosmologique polynésienne et de réactiver la capacité remémorative et perceptive en tenant compte du colonialisme nucléaire. En soulignant les effets environnementaux muets, lents et délétères des tests atomiques, Lee met également en exergue ce qu'Epeli Hau'ofa nomme "le temps écologique": une temporalité circulaire ancrée dans le paysage.
Retour(nement) vers le futur: Écologie décoloniale et utopie chez Léonora Miano
Authors: Muzart Thomas
Published: March 2024

Abstract: À partir de deux romans de Léonora Miano, cet article examine le rôle que peut jouer l'interrelation utopie/environnement dans la décolonisation épistémologique du passé subsaharien et l'élaboration d'un futur africain ouvert à la multiplicité. Comme le préconise l'écologie décoloniale de Malcom Ferdinand, Miano remet en cause le "retour," qui implique la résurgence potentielle d'un passé, et privilégie le "retournement," qui offre un véritable changement de paradigme en se présentant comme "un aller vers l'autre, un aller vers le monde" (Ferdinand 331). Dans La Saison de l'ombre (2013), le retournement s'incarne dans l'utopie de Bebayedi où des réfugiés s'appuient sur la nature et leurs diverses cultures pour développer une communauté afrocentrée dépassant le traumatisme de l'esclavage. Dans Rouge impératrice (2019), Miano s'interroge sur le futur et la réalisation de l'Afrotopos, de Felwine Sarr, en faisant intervenir une conception charnelle et matricielle de la terre incluant les immigrés.
Le Migrant résiduel: Reconfigurations de l'humain dans l'Anthropocène
Authors: Tamalet Talbayev Edwige
Published: March 2024

Abstract: Cet essai porte sur le devenir des corps migrants dans le contexte des traversées clandestines transméditerranéennes vers le continent européen, traversées maritimes souvent ponctuées par le naufrage et la disparition en mer des candidats à l'émigration. Voués à la décomposition sous l'effet corrosif de l'eau de mer, ces corps sont amalgamés à leur environnement marin. Cette ontologie de la dissolution met en lumière d'autres définitions de l'humain au-delà de l'impératif d'exceptionnalisme et de maîtrise de la nature. Contre toute prétention à une quelconque domination sur l'ordre naturel, la réflexion sur le migrant résiduel esquissée dans ces pages ouvre donc la voie à de nouvelles définitions du concept d' anthropos au fondement de l'Anthropocène et à la création de nouvelles formes de solidarité, et non plus simplement de domination, entre l'humain et le non-humain.
Inertia, Science, and Substantial Forms in Leibniz's Early Metaphysics
Authors: Edamura Shohei
Published: March 2024

Abstract: Leibniz considered that there are substances in a body, each of which does not solely have a shape and size and can act spontaneously. Although he started to regard bodies as having inherent substantial forces in 1678–79, what exactly led him to suppose this is not obvious. The author aims to articulate Leibniz's most important motivation for "restoring" substantial forms. He first notes that Leibniz considered that every body tends to slow down because of its natural inertia. He then discusses that Leibniz had two arguments to postulate the existence of substantial forms, the first of which is based on his view that God providentially manages the universe in the most efficient way. The second and more interesting argument is based on Leibniz's understanding of science, according to which a scientific explanation of motion should be given in terms of the nature of the body.
Experimental saturation characteristics of the PMT and adaptive compensation algorithm for OWC
Authors: Liu Weijie , Yuan Weihao , Huang Nuo , Xu Zhengyuan
Published: March 2024

Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) utilizes numerous sub-carriers to achieve high transmission data rates. The frequency selectivity of the channel becomes a crucial factor influencing the communication performance of OFDM-based systems. In optical wireless communication (OWC) systems, the photomultiplier tube (PMT) may experience saturation when the incident optical power approaches its saturation threshold. This paper, for the first time, characterizes the saturation levels of a high-speed PMT based on the measured amplitude in the time domain and the output response of the PMT in the frequency domain. Additionally, an adaptive optical saturation compensation algorithm, leveraging an electronically controlled variable optical attenuator, is proposed to realize a reliable OWC system. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed saturation compensation method achieves a higher tolerance to large dynamic signal and background radiation compared with that without compensation, while maintaining a satisfactory bit error rate.
Tuning the parameters of a free-space optical channel using machine learning
Authors: Lima Zélia Maria Carvalho , Costa Rogean , Martínez-Camejo Y. , de Araujo Aderaldo Irineu Levartoski , de Freitas Gilmarães Gendo
Published: March 2024

The present work uses artificial intelligence (AI) methodology to simulate the data
transmission process through free-space optical (FSO) technology. With
machine learning procedures, the data are obtained by multiparametric
simulation using Optisystem software.
For the first simulation set, the input parameters were distance,
attenuation, gain in the input signal amplifier, and gain in the
output signal amplifier. For the second set, the effects of beam
divergence and the receiver diameter were also evaluated. Additional
sets were added to increase the data and characterize the underfitting
and overfitting processes. With the data generated, artificial
intelligence models were trained using decision tree regression (DTR),
random forest regression (RFR), gradient boosting regressor (GBR),
histogram gradient boosting regression (HGBR), and AdaBoost + deciston
tree regression (ADDTR). The results showed that for the first
scenario the models (DTR) and (RFR) showed an excellent estimate for
the maximum quality factor (MaxQFactor), with a value of the
coefficient of determination R2 above 95.00%, and, for the second
scenario, the algorithms (DTR) and (RFR) also have shown excellent
results, with R2 above 94.00%. The results obtained
from the artificial intelligence procedures were compared graphically
with the values obtained by multiparametric numerical simulation,
confirming the effectiveness of the methodology used to predict the
output values of the FSO channel.
In situ holograms and two-wave mixing amplification of conical diffraction vector waves
Authors: Iqbal Muhammad Waqar , Shiposh Yuliia , Kohutych Anton , Marsal Nicolas , Grabar Alexander A. , Montemezzani Germano
Published: March 2024

Holographic recording and selective reconstruction and amplification of conical diffraction vector waves are demonstrated using a nonlinear photorefractive Sn2P2S6 crystal acting simultaneously as the medium producing the conical diffraction effect and as holographic storage material. It is shown that upon propagation of the object wave along one of the optical axes of the biaxial crystal, the azimuthal spreading of the local linear polarizations across the conical diffraction ring allows its holographic recording with any combinations of the object and reference waves’ input polarizations, including mutually orthogonal ones. We discuss the dependence of the recording and read-out polarizations on the recovered and amplified patterns and provide a simplified model qualitatively accounting for all the main observed features. The approach permits a tailoring of the reconstructed or amplified vector waves in terms of intensity and polarization distributions and opens interesting perspectives for their static or dynamic manipulation.
High-speed generation of non-Rayleigh speckle
Authors: Chen Binglin , Yuan Jie , Li Xianye , Peng Xinglei , Sun Baoqing
Published: March 2024

Speckle with non-Rayleigh amplitude distribution has significant research value in imaging and measurement using structured illumination. However, existing speckle customizing schemes have been limited in generation speed due to the refresh rate of spatial light modulators (SLMs). In this work, we proposed a method to rapidly generate non-Rayleigh distributed speckle fields using a digital micro-mirror device (DMD). In contrast to SLMs that allow for gray-scale phase modulation, DMD is limited to binary amplitude control. To solve this limitation, we design a Gerchberg-Saxton-like algorithm based on super-pixel method, this algorithm enables the customization of non-Rayleigh speckle with arbitrary intensity probability density function. Statistical analyses of experimental results have demonstrated that the customized speckles exhibit excellent stability in their lateral statistical properties, while also maintaining consistent propagation characteristics with Rayleigh speckle in the longitudinal direction. This method provides a new approach for high-speed and arbitrary intensity speckle customization, holding potential applications in imaging, measurement, and encryption fields.