bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Performance discipline as a determinant of the success of the managerial activity of the head of the internal affairs bodies of the Russian Federation
Authors: Mihaylova Tat'yana , Gorbunova Ekaterina
Published: April 2024

Relevance: the article is devoted to one of the urgent problems, namely, performance discipline in the units subordinate to the head of the territorial body of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia. Problem statement: as practice shows, the issues of high-quality and timely fulfillment by employees of the territorial bodies of internal affairs of the Russian Federation of the legitimate requirements of the head (chief) do not lose their relevance, and in a number of departments of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia have a stable negative character and are in a state of unresolved. This circumstance forms the improper fulfillment of the tasks assigned to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia by the country's leadership. The purpose of the study: based on the materials of theoretical analysis and empirical research, to define the concept of "performance discipline" in the internal affairs bodies, to analyze its condition, to determine the mechanism for improving the level of performance discipline. Research methods: study and analysis of scientific sources on the research problem, modeling of key concepts, systematization and generalization of the results obtained using content analysis methods. Results and key conclusions: as a result of an empirical study of the reporting documents of the territorial body of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia for 2022-2023, it was found that the proportion of the requirements (instructions) of the head fulfilled on time is 86.1%, which, according to the methodology of studying and evaluating management activities in the territorial body of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia, is an unsatisfactory indicator. The low quality of the reporting documents on the execution of the order was noted. 29.1% of the prepared documents were returned by the subject of control for revision on various grounds. The results obtained during the study confirm our assumption that a high level of executive discipline in the units subordinate to the head of the territorial body of internal affairs of the Russian Federation contributes to the effective protection of citizens and ensuring public order, prevention and disclosure of crimes committed in the territories served.
A new approach to treating sleep disorders? - Medical marijuana review
Authors: Gondko Daniel , Dębiec Patrycja , Roman Jakub , Pietrzak Nikodem
Published: April 2024

Insomnia, defined as difficulty falling or staying asleep, significantly impacts the quality of life and mental health of people worldwide. In recent years, there has been growing interest in using medical marijuana as an alternative treatment method for various conditions, including sleep disorders. The purpose of this review is to examine the available scientific evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of using medical marijuana in the treatment of insomnia. Analyzing data from clinical, observational, and experimental studies, this work aims to present a comprehensive picture of the potential benefits and risks associated with such treatment. This review seeks to provide doctors, patients, and policymakers with up-to-date information that can support the decision-making process regarding the use of medical marijuana as an adjunct therapy in the treatment of insomnia, highlighting both the therapeutic potential and the need for further research in this field.
Metronidazole
Authors: Rees Sharon
Published: April 2024

In this column, Sharon Rees aims to refresh knowledge and interest in some of the commonly used drugs in a series of posts on X. This month she is talking about #metronidazole
Prevention of sexual violence and domestic abuse through a university bystander intervention programme: learning from a UK feasibility study
Authors: Barter Christine , Bracewell Kelly , Farrelly Nicole , Clelland Allyson K. , Chantler Khatidja
Published: April 2024

In response to evidence documenting the scale and impact of sexual violence (SV) and domestic abuse (DA) in universities, Universities UK (2016) recommend implementation of a UK based bystander programme, The Intervention Initiative (TII), as a key prevention strategy. However, a recent UK review (Gaffney et al, 2023) concluded that no studies have addressed implementation issues for university-based bystander programmes. Our study explored what is required for implementation of the TII in a UK university, rather than intervention effectiveness. The intervention was delivered to undergraduate students across three school cohorts: medicine, social work and sports coaching.

The study draws on pre- and post-intervention surveys to explore SV and DA knowledge, attitudes, and bystander skills. Focus groups or individual interviews with students (n=11) and staff facilitators (n=10) explored experiences of implementation, delivery and participation. Students reported positive changes across several areas and some evidence of immediate impact on behaviours, suggesting potential for wider implementation across university contexts. Barriers included professionalisation of the application of the bystander intervention, resistance to an underpinning gendered evidence base and a lack of diversity and relatability in programme materials.
Embracing hope: can social reproduction change ideologies of temporary labour migration?
Authors: Mieres Fabiola
Published: April 2024

Housing and care are key sites of social reproduction that shape and are shaped by the labour process. As a Theory into Practice contribution, this article proposes social reproduction as a corrective that can restore the ‘human’ to discussions on temporary labour migration, including the potential for agency. Traditionally, ‘housing’ and ‘care’ are treated as disparate objects of regulation, which are further fragmented by the process of policy making itself. The article proposes ideas, some reflected in the International Labour Organization (ILO’s) recommendations, to turn aspirational values into lived realities to improve the historical disadvantages faced by temporary migrant workers. While it is widely accepted that this is necessary, we should remain hopeful that it is also achievable.
HDR vision sensor with neuro-memristive skin detection for edge computing
Authors: Paissan Francesco , Lecca Michela , Passerone Roberto , Farella Elisabetta , Gottardi Massimo
Published: April 2024

Human skin classification is an essential task for several machine vision applications such as human-machine interfaces, people/object tracking, and classification. In this paper, we describe a hybrid CMOS/memristor vision sensor architecture embedding skin detection over a wide dynamic range. In-sensor RGB to rg-chromaticity color-space conversion is executed on-the-fly through a pixel-level automatic exposure time control. Each pixel of the array delivers two pre-filtered analog signals, the r and g values, suitable for being efficiently classified as skin or non-skin through an analog memristive neural network (NN), without the need for any further signal processing. Moreover, we study the NN performance and theorize how it should be added in the hardware. The skin classifier is organized in an array of column-level memristor-based NN to exploit the nano-scale device characteristics and non-volatile analog memory capabilities, making the proposed sensor architecture highly flexible, customizable for various use-case scenarios, and low-power. The output is a skin bitmap that is robust against variations of the illuminant color and intensity.
Ultrafast dephasing in solid-state high harmonic generation: macroscopic origin revealed by real-space dynamics [Invited]
Authors: Brown Graham G. , Jiménez-Galán Álvaro , Silva Rui E. F. , Ivanov Misha
Published: April 2024

Using a fully real-space perspective on high harmonic generation (HHG) in solids, we examine the relationship between microscopic response, macroscopic propagation of this response to the far-field, and the extremely short dephasing times routinely used in the theoretical simulations of experimentally measured solid-state HHG spectra. We find that far-field propagation naturally reduces the contribution to the observed HHG emission from electrons that do not return to the lattice site where they have been injected into the conduction band. We then show that extremely short dephasing times routinely used in microscopic simulations suppress many electron trajectories that contribute to the far-field spectra, leading to significant distortions of the true high harmonic response. We show that a real-space based dephasing mechanism, which preferentially suppresses trajectories that veer too far away from their original lattice site, yields HHG spectra that faithfully retain those trajectories that contribute to the far-field spectra while filtering out those that do not, already at the microscopic level. Our findings emphasize the similarities between atomic and solid-state HHG by highlighting the importance of the intensity-dependent phase of HHG emission and address the longstanding issue regarding the origin of extremely short dephasing times in solid-state HHG.
Investigation of spectro-temporal high-order sideband generation from transition metal dichalcogenides [Invited]
Authors: Liu Yaxin , Jiang Shicheng , Zhu Bingbing , Zhang Sheng , Liu Weifeng , Tao Zhensheng
Published: April 2024

High-order sideband generation (HSG) in semiconductors under intense terahertz fields has been extensively studied, because it provides essential information for studying ultrafast dynamics in strong-field-dressed quantum materials. In particular, transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs), characterized by their unique band structures, provide an exemplary semiconductor system to explore the influence of material band structure on strong-field-induced modulation of HSG. In this work, we investigate the spectro-temporally resolved HSG from different bulk TMDC materials. Our results reveal distinct temporal HSG spectra, which can be attributed to the different absorption behaviors of these materials. Simulations based on the strong-field approximation and Floquet theory can well reproduce the experimental observations. Our work also delves into the spectro-temporal interference that emerges when neighboring harmonic orders overlap in the HSG spectrum. This work enhances our understanding of high-order sideband dynamics in strong-field-dressed semiconductors, offering insights for applications in spectrum- and phase-resolved ultrafast measurements.
Optical TTD compensation network-based phase precoding for THz massive MIMO systems
Authors: Jia Shilong , Zhang Chongfu , Huang Huan , Zhao Zixin , Fu Songnian , Geng Yong , Jiang Di
Published: April 2024

In sixth generation (6G) communications, terahertz (THz) communication is one of the most important technologies in the future due to its ultra-bandwidth, where hybrid beamforming has been widely used to solve the severe transmission attenuation in the THz band. However, the use of frequency-flat phase shifters in hybrid beamforming leads to the beam split effect. To solve the beam split influence, we propose a novel optical true time delay compensation network (OTTDCN)-based phase precoding structure with low power consumption. In the proposed scheme, the OTTDCN pre-generates multiple beam compensation modes to achieve phase compensation for different frequencies. As a result, the compensated beams can be reoriented toward the target direction at different frequencies. Moreover, a low-complexity beam compensation mode-based hybrid precoding algorithm is proposed, where the selection of the optimal beam compensation modes used for all radio-frequency (RF) chains with finite beam compensation modes is considered. The results show that the OTTDCN-based phase precoding scheme can effectively alleviate the beam split effect with low power consumption and achieve near-optimal performance.
Time-domain full-field optical coherence tomography with a digital defocus correction
Authors: Trečiokaitė Austėja , Adomavičius Karolis , Auksorius Egidijus
Published: April 2024

Time-domain full-field optical coherence tomography (TD-FF-OCT) is an interferometric technique capable of acquiring high-resolution images deep within the biomedical tissue, utilizing a spatially and temporally incoherent light source. However, optical aberrations, such as sample defocus, can degrade the image quality, thereby limiting the achievable imaging depth. Here we demonstrate that the sample defocus within a highly scattering medium can be digitally corrected over a wide defocus range if the optical path lengths in the sample and reference arms are matched. We showcase the application of digital defocus correction on both reflective and scattering samples, effectively compensating digitally for up to 1 mm of defocus.
Alegiako haurrak eta hitanorako jauzia
Authors: Arnedo Garcia Endika
Published: April 2024

Hitanoa euskaraz modu informal batean zuzentzeko tratamendua da eta azken urteetan haur eta gazteen hitanoaren erabilpenak izan duen beherakadaz oharturik, lan honetan ikertu da Alegiako haur eta gazteak hitanoarekin duten harremana, hitanoarekiko iritzia eta hitanorako jauziaren prozesua, helburu nagusitzat izanik Alegiako haurren hitanoranzko jauzia ezagutzea. Horretarako, hitanoa zer den, zein funtzio sozial duen, zein konnotazio ezartzen zaizkion, zeintzuk diren hitanoaren erabileraren aldagaiak eta transmisio gune nagusien egoera nolakoa den aztertu da; Alegiako 8-11 urte bitarteko haurrei eginiko behaketa, galdetegi, bakarkako elkarrizketa zein talde-eztabaida bidez. Hitanoaren ezagutza eta aldeko ideologia izatea beharrezkoa dela ikusi da hitanoranzko jauzia emateko, baina faktore gehiagok ere eragina dutela hori lortzeko bidean.
Garaziko euskararen egitura geolinguistikoa
Authors: Artzelus Muxika Alexander , Arrazola Varun DC
Published: April 2024

Lan honen helburua Garaziko euskararen bariazio diatopikoa aztertzea da. Ibar honetako euskararen kokapen geolinguistikoaren berri ematen duen ahalik eta ezaugarririk gehien zerrendatzen saiatu gara, beraz. Hizkera jakin baten izaeraren berri jakiteko edota hizkera hori dialekto jakin batean sailkatzeko ezaugarri guztiek pisu bera ez dutela jabeturik, bakoitzaren eremua zedarritu dugu, ibarreko mintzoan eraginik handiena zein eremuk duen jakin ahal izateko. Horrez gain, berrikuntzak edota arkaismoak diren zehazten saiatu gara, eta berrikuntzak izatekotan, positiboak eta sistematikoak diren.
Zeregin horretarako, Garaziko oinarri dialektala lortu nahi izan dugu. Hortaz, adinekoen mintzoan oinarritu gara, batez ere. Hori lortzeko, duela hiruzpalau urte egindako grabaketak hartu ditugu aintzat, batez ere.
Garaziko mintzoak aski izaera orokorra duela ondorioztatu ahal izan dugu: berrikuntza positibo eta sistematikorik gehienak Euskal Herriko ekialde zabalarekin partekatzen dituela ikusi dugu; hots, Nafarroa Garaiko ekialdearekin eta Iparraldearekin. Iparralde osoa —Lapurdiko hego-mendebaldea eta Pirinioetako ibar nafarrak gorabehera— hartzen dutenen kopurua ere hazia da. Azkenik, badira eremu murritzagoko beste berrikuntza batzuk, baita Garazi eta ondoko ibarren batera baino iristen ez direnak ere.
Adalimumab artritis erreumatoidearen tratamendurako: Azken urteetako ikasketak
Authors: Larreta Carrera Enara , Igartua Olaechea Manoli , Hernández Martín Rosa María , Santos Vizcaíno Edorta
Published: April 2024

Artritis erreumatoidea (rheumatoid arthritis, RA) mintz sinobialaren hantura kronikoa eragiten duen gaixotasun autoimmunea da. Kartilagoaren zein hezurraren suntsipena eragiten du; ondorioz, zurruntasuna, hantura edo artikulazioen funtzioaren galera gertatzen dira, eta horrek gaixoaren bizi-kalitatea murriztea dakar, ezgaitasuna eraginez. Urteetan zehar RAren tratamenduaren inguruko ikerketa ugari egin dira, eta egun, sintomak arintzeaz gain, gaixotasunaren bilakaera moteltzea ere lortu da gaixotasun erreumatikoaren garapena modulatzen duten farmakoei (disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs, DMARD) esker. Ildo horretan, adalimumab DMARD biologikoa da, gaitasun immunomodulatzailea duen α tumorearen nekrosi-faktorearen (tumor necrosis factor a, TNFα) aurkako antigorputz monoklonala. Adalimumabekin emaitza itxaropentsuak lortu dira gaixotasun horren garapenaren kontrolean. Arrakasta horren zergatia ulertzeko asmoz, RAren ezaugarriak eta adalimumaben indikazioa, ekintza-mekanismoa eta bere parametro biofarmazeutikoen inguruko datuak aurkeztu dira. Hala ere, 20 urte igaro dira adalimumab merkaturatu zenetik, eta, beraz, datu eguneratuen bilketa egitea garrantzitsua da epe luzera erakutsi duen eraginkortasuna eta segurtasuna ebaluatzeko. Horretarako, azken urteotako saiakuntza eta ikerketa ezberdinak bildu dira, eta adalimumaben helmena benetan nolakoa den aztertu da. Amaitzeko, esan ikerketa-prozesu luzea geratzen dela RA sendatzea lortuko duen tratamendua eskuratzeko. Bitarte horretan, adalimumabek gaixotasuna nolabait kontrolpean izatea lortu du, eta gaixoen bizi-kalitatea hobetzen jarraituko du.
Korrugazioa iragartzeko eredu eraginkor baten garapena eta haren aplikazioa metro-linea erreal batean
Authors: Robles Rakel , Correa Nekane , García Vadillo Ernesto , Santamaría Javier , Astarloa Javier
Published: April 2024

Artikulu honetan denboraren/espazioaren eremuan eredu bat garatzen da, konputazionalki oso eraginkorra, trenbidearen eta ardatz muntatuaren dinamika bertikala eta laterala konbinatzen dituena, trenbidearen eta ibilgailuaren parametroen arabera higadura ondulatorioa aurreikusteko. Eredu hau maiztasunaren eremuko eredu batetik abiatuz eta denboraren eremura eraldatuz lortzen da, zatiki arrazional polinomikoen metodoaren bidez. Metodo honen bidez, errezeptantzia bati lotutako transferentzia-funtzio baten doikuntza lortzen da. Algoritmo genetiko multiobjektiboak erabiliz, trenbidearen eta ardatz muntatuaren dinamika bertikal eta laterala deskribatzen duten errezeptantzien doikuntzen errorea minimizatzen da, sistemaren egonkortasuna ziurtatzeaz gain. Eredu honetan, kontaktu tangentziala FASTSIM algoritmoaren bidez lortzen da. Azkenik, garatutako eredua metro-linea batean egindako korrugazio eta errezeptantzien neurketa esperimentalen bidez balioztatzen da. Balioztatze honetarako hautatutako kontrol-puntua, neurketa esperimentalak egin diren 5 urteetan, korrugazioaren hazkunde handienetarikoa izan duenetako bat da. Ereduaren bidez lortutako higadurek antzekotasun handia erakusten dute emaitza esperimentalekin.
CO2-a bahitu eta balorizatzeko prozesuen ekarpena Energiaren Nazioarteko Erakundearen agertokietan
Authors: Parra Ipiña Onintze , Portillo Ander , Ereña Javier , Ateka Ainara
Published: April 2024

Klima-aldaketa da gaur egungo arazo handienetakoa gizartean. Hori dela eta, Energiaren Nazioarteko Agentziak (IEA) hainbat agertoki proposatu ditu, egungo politika eta joeren arabera, jarraitu beharreko gidalerroekin. Ildo horien artean, azkenaldian garrantzi handiagoa ematen zaie CO2-a bahitu, biltegiratu eta erabiltzeko prozesuei, bereziki azken horri. Hala ere, CO2-a bahitzeko prozesuak (airetik zuzeneko bahiketa, errekuntza aurrekoa, errekuntza ostekoa eta oxierrekuntza) instalatzen diren instalazioetako etapa garestiena dira oraindik. Horregatik, CO2-a biltegiratu ordez, berotegi-efektua eragiten duen gas hori erabiltzea proposatzen da, hartara, emisio gehigarririk gabeko karbono-zikloak sortzeko. Erabilera-prozesuen artean, prozesu biologikoak eta kimikoak bereizten dira. Lehengo kasuan, karbonoaren finkapen biologikoa egiten da mikroorganismoak erabiliz, CO2-a bioproduktu bihurtzeko. Prozesu kimikoetan, aldiz, CO2-a ezabatzeko eta beste produktu bat bihurtzeko erreakzioak gertarazten dira. Horien artean, honako hauek dira aipagarrienak: reforminga, hidrogenazioa, mineralizazioa, karboxilazioa eta bihurketa kimiko eta elektrokimikoa. Erabilera-prozesu horiek IEAren helburuak lortzen lagunduko lukete, hots, 2050ean karbono-emisio neutroak lortzea.
Bihotzeko QT luzearen sindromea, hERG kanaleko mutazioek sortutako kanalopatia
Authors: ECHEAZARRA LEYRE ESCUDERO , Saénz-Díez Beatriz , Casis Oscar , Gallego Mónica
Published: April 2024

KCNH2 geneak KV11.1 edo hERG kanala, IKr potasio-korrontea ahalbidetzen duena, kodifikatzen du. Korronte hori funtsezkoa da gizakien bentrikuluen birpolarizaziorako eta, beraz, bihotzak funtzionamendu egokia izan dezan. Gene honen mutazioek hERG kanal eraldatuak sor ditzakete, eta horrela IKr korrontearen murrizketa eragin. IKr korrontearen murrizketa honek bihotz-birpolarizazioaren iraupena luzatzea eragiten du, eta, beraz, QT tartea luzatzea, elektrokardiograman ikus daitekeen bezala. QT tartearen luzapen horrek 2. motako QT luzearen sindromea deritzon bihotz-patologia eragiten du, arritmia larriak izateko arriskua handitzen duena, baita hilgarriak direnak ere.
Los Rodríguez, S.A. Auge y caída de un contratista portugués en Cuelgamuros (1943-1950)
Authors: Ruiz Casero Luis Antonio , Ayán Vila Xurxo , Hattori Márcia Lika
Published: April 2024

En las obras del entonces llamado Monumento Nacional a los Caídos en Cuelgamuros intervinieron multitud de contratas, entre las que se contaban San Román, Banús o Huarte, las más conocidas. El caso de la empresa del maestro cantero portugués Manuel Rodríguez Crisogno ha pasado desapercibido hasta el momento, a pesar de ser uno de los mayores beneficiarios del proyecto. Rodríguez, único extranjero entre todos los contratistas, intervino en la construcción de la fachada monumental de la cripta y en otras obras menores a lo largo de siete años. En ese tiempo participó de la explotación de presos políticos como trabajadores, y se lucró del sistema de corrupción imperante en la obra.
Narrar la contienda: la representación del conflicto social en la prensa de la Segunda República
Authors: Bascuñán Añover Óscar
Published: April 2024

Los conflictos sociales durante la Segunda República proporcionaron uno de los principales motivos de disputa en la prensa. El modo de narrar la contienda abre líneas de investigación sobre la capacidad de la prensa para interpretar los acontecimientos, modelar opiniones o representar los sucesos de una manera que conmueva y resuene en las experiencias y creencias de sus lectores. El objetivo del artículo reside en analizar si los periódicos realizaron una interpretación activa de los sucesos, controlaron sus propios discursos, dirigieron la atención pública hacia agravios o peligros reconocidos por sus lectores y emplearon formas narrativas que resultasen conmovedoras y persuasivas. El análisis de marcos suministra la herramienta metodológica para llevar a cabo este estudio. La base empírica se ha buscado en una selección de periódicos de difusión nacional y distinto espectro ideológico: ABC, La Época, Ahora, El Heraldo de Madrid, El Socialista, Solidaridad Obrera, Mundo Obrero y Claridad.
Oficiales españoles en la crisis de la Restauración (1903-1922). Un estudio social
Authors: Frieyro de Lara Beatriz
Published: April 2024

En este estudio se examina el funcionamiento en términos de clase de la oficialidad del Ejército de Tierra de las primeras décadas del siglo XX, partiendo de la consulta de los Expedientes Personales y del recurso a métodos de investigación social que hasta la fecha no han sido aplicados al grupo militar. Para este análisis de la reproducción social trazamos dos caminos fundamentales, indicadores de clase (clasificación HISCLASS, modo de ingreso, nivel de estudios, etcétera) e indicadores ocupacionales (profesiones de los padres y suegros de los oficiales). Evaluando de qué clase social proceden estos sujetos podremos vislumbrar si bajo el régimen liberal la meritocracia fue abriéndose camino en la profesión militar y, por tanto, ofrecía aún oportunidades de ascenso social, así como cuánto hay de cierto en la repetida afirmación de la cúpula militar de la Restauración como una casta cerrada y alejada del resto de la sociedad española.
Molecular prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and Trypanosoma evansi in recently calved female cattle from Phayao, Thailand
Authors: Klinbumrung Khuruwan , Prakhammin Khanuengnij , Japa Ornampai
Published: April 2024

Background and Aim: Toxoplasma gondii and Trypanosoma evansi, the zoonotic protozoa responsible for toxoplasmosis and trypanosomiasis, are significant threats to the productivity and financial stability of livestock farming. T. gondii can be transmitted horizontally through ingestion of fecal oocysts and T. evansi through arthropod vectors. In addition, both species can be transmitted from mother to fetus through the placenta. This study aimed to assess the molecular prevalence of T. gondii and T. evansi transplacental-transmitted protozoans and to identify the epidemiological risk factors in recently calved female cattle across Phayao, Thailand.

Materials and Methods: We collected 106 bovine placentas from beef and dairy cow full-term pregnancies in Phayao, Thailand. T. gondii and T. evansi DNA were detected using targeted B1 gene and expression site-associated gene (ESAG) species-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR), respectively.

Results: Forty-three placentas were positive for T. gondii B1 PCR, whereas only one was positive for T. evansi ESAG PCR, resulting in an overall prevalence of transplacental-transmitted protozoan infection of 41.5% (44/106). The prevalence of T. gondii and T. evansi was 40.6% (43/106) and 0.9% (1/106), respectively. No significant correlation was found between T. gondii infection and various risk factors, including locality, age, and cattle type.

Conclusion: The prevalence of transplacental-transmitted protozoan T. gondii infection was high among female cattle in Phayao, Thailand, whereas the prevalence of T. evansi infection was notably lower. Although the conventional modes of transmission differ between these two parasites, the transplacental transmission of T. evansi and especially T. gondii may play a crucial role in the persistence of these protozoan species in this area.

Keywords: bovine placenta, Toxoplasma gondii, transplacental transmission, transplacental-transmitted protozoan, Trypanosoma evansi.
Evaluation of the efficacy of commercial live vaccines against the local Thai QX field strain for the protection of specific pathogen-free chicks
Authors: Thomrongsuwannakij Thotsapol , Phu Doan Hoang , Chansiripornchai Niwat
Published: April 2024

Background and Aim: The high prevalence of QX-like variant among Thai isolates poses a significant threat to poultry production. In this study, we evaluated the protective efficacy of commercially available heterologous infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) vaccines against the local Thai QX-like strain in specific-pathogen-free (SPF) chicks from Thailand.

Materials and Methods: The experiment involved 100 SPF chicks divided into 4 arms. Arms I and II received the TAbic IB VAR (233A) and Ibird (1/96) vaccines, respectively, on day 1. After 10 days, both arms received the H120 vaccine. Arms III and IV were non-vaccinated positive and negative controls. Challenge infection was local Thai QX-like virus on birds of Arms I, II, and III, and negative control of Arm IV. Clinical signs of infectious bronchitis (IB) and IBV detection using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction were assessed at 2, 4, and 6 days post-challenge (dpc). At 6 dpc, the birds were humanely euthanized for post-mortem examination with the ciliostasis test and histopathological analysis of the tracheas, lungs, and kidneys.

Results: Virus shedding started at 4 dpc (33.3% positive) and reached 100% positivity at 6 dpc with obvious clinical respiratory symptoms in non-vaccinated-challenged birds. No detection of IBV in vaccinated-challenged arms. Ciliary activity scores were significantly lower in non-vaccinated-challenged birds at 23.64 (standard deviation [SD] Â± 1.74) and 96.50 (SD Â± 1.91) and 95.64 (SD Â± 1.77), respectively (p = 0.05) than in vaccinated-challenged birds. The most remarkable histopathological changes were observed in non-vaccinated-challenged birds, with moderately severe changes in the trachea, lungs, and kidneys. On the other hand, birds in vaccinated-challenged arms showed no significant changes.

Conclusion: This study demonstrated the efficacy of TAbic IB VAR (233A) or Ibird (1/96) vaccine combined with a Massachusetts serotype vaccine (H120) against the local Thai QX-like strain in SPF chicks, contributing valuable insights to the selection of suitable commercially available vaccines to combat the prevalent local QX-like strains in Thailand.

Keywords: avian infectious bronchitis, chicken, efficacy, QX-like strain, Thailand, vaccine.
Profile of stingless bee honey and microbiota produced in West Sumatra, Indonesia, by several species (Apidae, Meliponinae)
Authors: Melia Sri , Juliyarsi Indri , Kurnia Yulianti Fitri , Aritonang Salam N. , Rusdimansyah Rusdimansyah , Sukma Ade , Setiawan Rizki Dwi , Pratama Yudha Endra , Supandil Doni
Published: April 2024

Background and Aim: Stingless bees are generally found in tropical countries, including Indonesia. In West Sumatra, stingless bees are known as Galo-galo, consist of several species with different characteristics; however, the properties of honey produced by stingless bees have not yet been explored. This study aimed to determine the physicochemical, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities as well as the microbiota profile of stingless bee honey from the bee species Heterotrigona itama, Geniotrigona thoracica, Tetrigona melanoleuca, and Tetrigona binghami that are intensively developed in West Sumatra, Indonesia.

Materials and Methods: Honey produced by the stingless bee species H. itama, G. thoracica, T. melanoleuca, and T. binghami originating in West Sumatra was examined in the present study. The physicochemical properties (Association of Official Analytical Chemists), antioxidant activity (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl technique), total phenols (Folin- Ciocalteu method), antimicrobial activity (Agar-Well diffusion test), total lactic acid bacteria, and microbiota diversity were measured in stingless bee honey samples.

Results: Stingless bee species significantly affected the physicochemical properties, antioxidant activity, total phenolic content, antimicrobial activity, and total lactic acid bacteria (p = 0.05), except for the crude fiber content. The carbohydrate profiles of honey produced by H. itama and T. binghami were dominated by monosaccharides, whereas those of honey from T. melanoleuca and G. thoracica were dominated by disaccharides. In terms of antioxidant activity (half maximal inhibitory concentration [IC50] value), there were no significant differences (p > 0.05) between honey from H. itama, T. melanoleuca, and T. binghami, but there were significant differences (p > 0.05) between honey from G. thoracica. The honey of G. thoracica and T. melanoleuca had the highest total phenolic content (65.65 ± 14.00 and 69.78 ± 8.06, respectively). In addition, honey from the four stingless bee species showed antimicrobial activity against the pathogenic bacteria Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Staphylococcus aureus, and Listeria monocytogenes. From the principal co-ordinate analysis (PCoA) results, it can be concluded that the microbiota profiles of the four stingless bee honey samples differed.

Conclusion: The results showed that honey from H. itama, G. thoracica, T. melanoleuca, and T. binghami has different physicochemical characteristics, antioxidant activity, antimicrobial activity, and microbiota diversity. By knowing the content of this stingless bee honey, the results of this study can be used as information that this stingless bee honey has the potential as a functional food that is beneficial for health.

Keywords: antimicrobial, antioxidant activity, microbiota, physicochemical, stingless bee.
Efficacy and Safety of Liraglutide in Patients With an Ileal Pouch-Anal Anastomosis and Chronic High Bowel Frequency: A Placebo-Controlled, Crossover, Proof-of-Concept Study
Authors: Herfarth Hans , Long Millie D. , Hansen Jonathan J. , Anderson Chelsea , English Emily , Buse John B. , Barnes Edward L.
Published: April 2024

INTRODUCTION:

After colectomy with ileoanal pouch anastomosis (IPAA), many patients develop high bowel frequency (BF) refractory to antimotility agents, despite normal IPAA morphology. Low circulating levels of glucagon-like protein-1 (GLP-1), a modulator of gastroduodenal motility, have been reported after colectomy.

METHODS:

Double-blind crossover study of 8 IPAA patients with refractory high BF treated with daily administration of the GLP-1 receptor agonist liraglutide or placebo.

RESULTS:

Liraglutide, but not placebo, reduced daily BF by more than 35% (P < 0.03).

DISCUSSION:

Larger randomized controlled studies are warranted to delineate the treatment potential of GLP-1 receptor agonists in IPAA patients suffering from noninflammatory high BF.
El impacto del COVID-19 sobre los proyectos de la reciente emigración española: movilidad versus inmovilidad
Authors: Capote Lama Alberto , Fernández Suárez Belén , Vázquez Silva Iria
Published: April 2024

El artículo aborda el impacto de la pandemia de COVID-19 en los proyectos migratorios de emigrados españoles recientes en Europa, centrándose en Francia y el Reino Unido. De manera precisa, nos preguntamos cómo se vivieron los primeros meses de restricciones a la movilidad y los controles fronterizos y si las experiencias vividas han podido dejar huella en los proyectos migratorios. A través de entrevistas cualitativas, se exploraron las experiencias y percepciones de los migrantes, revelando estrategias de adaptación y cambios en los proyectos migratorios. A corto plazo, la pandemia intensificó las desigualdades socioeconómicas y laborales entre los migrantes, mientras que, a medio y largo plazo, se observó un replanteamiento hacia una mayor estabilidad en los destinos, tanto a nivel laboral como legislativo. La pandemia destacó la importancia de la estabilidad y la seguridad en los destinos, lo que llevó a algunos migrantes a buscar la doble nacionalidad como garantía de transnacionalidad. En resumen, la pandemia ha influido en la percepción de la movilidad y la inmovilidad, así como en la búsqueda de estabilidad y seguridad en los proyectos migratorios de los españoles en Europa.
Book review of: Kloke, A.; Monheim, H.; Paetzel, U. (Hrsg.) (2023): Karl Ganser. Integratives Planen und Handeln
Authors: Hesse Markus
Published: April 2024

Buchrezension
Early-Onset Neonatal Sepsis: Inflammatory Biomarkers and MicroRNA as Potential Diagnostic Tools in Preterm Newborns
Authors: Janec Petr , Mojžíšek Marek , Pánek Martin , Haluzík Martin , Živný Jan , Janota Jan
Published: April 2024

Mortality and morbidity of newborns with sepsis can be improved by early and accurate diagnosis and targeted therapy. To evaluate the early molecular events associated with inflammation and infection, we evaluated markers of endothelial activation and injury and circulating plasma miRNAs in preterm newborns with sepsis. The study group consisted of newborns with gestational age ≤ 32 weeks, with culture-positive early-onset neonatal sepsis (sepsis group, N = 8), and as a control group, we enrolled newborns without sepsis (control group, N = 12). Soluble markers of inflammation were measured using Luminex-based multiplex assay. Platelet-free plasma RNA was used to construct the library for miRNA sequencing analysis. Normalized counts were calculated and used to measure differential expression of individual detected miRNAs. We found a significant increase of interleukin 18 (IL-18) in the cord blood of the sepsis group (mean ± SEM, 104.7 ± 30.4 pg/ml vs 52.7 ± 5.6 pg/ml, P = 0.02). In peripheral blood of sepsis group patients, we found a significant increase of VEGF-A compared to controls (196.0 ± 70.5 pg/ml vs 59.6 ± 8.5 pg/ml, P = 0.02). In the cord blood plasma, eight miRNAs had significantly differential expression (P < 0.05), four miRNAs were up-regulated and four miRNAs down-regulated. In peripheral blood plasma, all nine miRNAs with significant differential expression were up-regulated. In conclusion, in early-onset neonatal sepsis, IL-18 and VEGF-A might be considered in diagnostic workup. Early-onset sepsis in preterm newborns is associated with significant changes in the circulating miRNA pattern.
Astaxanthin Induces Apoptosis in Human Osteosarcoma MG-63 Cells
Authors: Wang Guangyu , Tian Xu , Liu Lintao , Dong Jingming
Published: April 2024

We explored the mechanism of human osteosarcoma MG-63 cell apoptosis induced by asta­xanthin. The MTT assay was used to detect the effect of astaxanthin on cell viability. Morphological changes associated with apoptosis were observed after DAPI staining. Early and late stages of apoptosis were detected by flow cytometry with annexin V-FITC/PI staining. Activation of caspases-8, -9 and -3 was detected by enzyme activity in vitro. Changes in the mitochondrial membrane potential were detected by MitoCapture staining. Western blot was used to detect the cleavage of PARP, which is a caspase-3 substrate, the release of cytochrome c and Smac into the cytosol, the translocation of pro-apoptotic proteins Bax and Bak, and the expression of mitochondrial pathway-related proteins. The translocation of Bax was also detected by immunofluorescence assay. Astaxanthin significantly inhibited the viability of human osteosarcoma MG-63 cells with an IC50 value of 12.36 μg/ml. The DAPI-stained cells showed characteristic apoptotic morphological changes – cell shrinkage, cell membrane blebbing, nuclear condensation, and apoptotic body formation. Cytochrome c and Smac were released from mitochondria to the cytosol. Pro-apoptotic proteins Bax and Bak were rapidly translocated to mitochondria after six hours of astaxanthin action. Caspases-9 and -3 were activated and PARP was cleaved. The expression of anti-apoptotic proteins Bcl-2, Bcl-xL and XIAP was significantly decreased. Astaxanthin induced human osteosarcoma MG-63 cell apoptosis through the mitochondria-mediated endogenous apoptosis pathway.
role of learning-related emotions, emotion regulation and technology acceptance in learner engagement with online professional development
Authors: Lin Xiaochen , Yu Jeong Jin , Wang Qian , Limniou Maria , Huijser Henk , Yu Jeong Jin , Gu Haibo
Published: April 2024

People have different attitudes toward taking professional training courses online despite the post-pandemic movement towards e-learning in adult education. Limited studies have linked adult learners’ emotions with their attitudes towards technology (i.e., technology acceptance) and investigated their impacts on adult learners’ engagement in online professional development. This study aims to fulfil this gap by testing the mediating effect of technology acceptance between learning-related emotions and online learning engagement in professional development, and the moderating effect of emotion regulations therein. The study draws on the theoretical grounding from Control-Value Theory, Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT), and the Process Model of Emotion Regulation. After collecting data from 254 higher education faculty through an online questionnaire, the study applied a partial least squares structural equation model (PLS-SEM) for its results. The findings show that learning-related emotions are associated with technology acceptance and emotion regulation moderates those associations. Furthermore, the results suggest that technology acceptance mediates between learning-related emotions and online learning engagement. These findings strengthen the need to attend to affect in adults’ online learning and stress the importance of emotion in embracing technology for enhancing learning engagement among adult learners.
Strategie uczenia się słownictwa specjalistycznego
Authors: Cholewa Justyna
Published: April 2024

CLIL (Content Language Integrated Learning) is defined as the integration of specific content with language learning objectives. In higher education, it refers to the simultaneously teaching academic content and language skills in a given language. The core concept revolves around the use of a second/foreign language to acquire knowledge, while while concurrently enhancing language skills and vocabulary, including the acquisition of new specialist terms. Developing the lexical subsystem as a an integral component of linguistic competence is particularly important in the process of linguistic reception and production. Vocabulary learning strategies prove invaluable in this context. The discussion on the strategy of learning lexis in a foreign language appeared in the academic literature at the end of the last century. Previously, this matter was addressed in research on learning strategies and communication strategies. In academia, knowledge of professional vocabulary and terminology is indispensable for mastering specialist content taught in a second language. Learners must not only grasp the meaning of concepts, but also employ them with precision. So how do students learn new specialist vocabulary, and which lexis learning strategies do they use?  This article aims  to present the results of my own research on the application of specialized vocabulary learning strategies by students of economic sciences.
Curvature conditions, Liouville-type theorems and Harnack inequalities for a nonlinear parabolic equation on smooth metric measure spaces
Authors: Taheri Ali , Vahidifar Vahideh
Published: April 2024

In this paper we prove gradient estimates of both elliptic and parabolic types, specifically, of Souplet-Zhang, Hamilton and Li-Yau types for positive smooth solutions to a class of nonlinear parabolic equations involving the Witten or drifting Laplacian on smooth metric measure spaces. These estimates are established under various curvature conditions and lower bounds on the generalised Bakry-Émery Ricci tensor and find utility in proving elliptic and parabolic Harnack-type inequalities as well as general Liouville-type and other global constancy results. Several applications and consequences are presented and discussed.
The shortest-path and bee colony optimization algorithms for traffic control at single intersection with NetworkX application
Authors: Jovanović Aleksandar , Uzelac Ana , Kukić Katarina , Teodorović Dušan
Published: April 2024

In this article, we study the application of NetworkX, a Python library for dealing with traffic networks, to the problem of signal optimization at a single intersection. We use the shortest-path algorithms such as Bellman-Ford (Dynamic Programming), A star (A*), and Dijkstra’s algorithm to compute an optimal solution to the problem. We consider both undersaturated and oversaturated traffic conditions. The results show that we find optimal results with short Central Processor Unit (CPU) time using all the applied algorithms, where Dijkstra’s algorithm slightly outperformed others. Moreover, we show that bee colony optimization can find the optimal solution for all tested problems with different degrees of computational complexity for less CPU time, which is a new contribution to knowledge in this field.
That-complement clauses signalling stance in Nigerian Supreme Court lead judgements: a corpus-based study
Authors: Daniel Florence Oluwaseyi
Published: April 2024

The study investigates grammatical means of marking stance in Nigerian Supreme Court lead judgements. Specifically, it examines the frequency, form and stance functions of that-complement clauses in lead judgements using Du Bios’ stance triangle model (Du Bois, John. 2007. The stance triangle. In Englebretson Robert (ed.), Stancetaking in discourse: Subjectivity, evaluation, interaction, 139–177. Amsterdam: John Benjamins) and Biber’s (Biber, Douglas. 2006. University language: A corpus-based study of spoken and written registers. Amsterdam: John Benjamins) semantic domains of verbal and adjectival predicates controlling that-complement clauses. The study shows that that-complement clauses in the lead judgements are predominantly verb-based and they mainly signal epistemic and few alignment stances. Verb-based that-clauses are largely indexed by communication verbs which report prior stances, present the lead judges’ arguments and validate them. Adjective-based that-clauses signal evaluative and few affective stances. They are frequently signalled by certainty adjectives which express lead judges’ certitude on the issues argued. That-complement clauses signal few alignment stances and yet fewer affective ones, possibly due to judges’ need to assert their authoritative voice as experts in the discourse community. The frequency of certainty verbs and adjectives in the that-complement clauses underscores the centrality of certitude in judicial argumentation. I suggest that judgements are not only evaluative as has been noted in earlier studies but also epistemic based on the predominance of epistemic and certainty markers lexico-grammatically realised and indexed by verb and adjective based that-clauses.
Hope from the Ashes: Juan Pérez de Pineda’s Mystical Body beyond Neoplatonic Consolation
Authors: Phipps Kathryn
Published: April 2024

Juan Pérez de Pineda (ca. 1500–1567) was one of Spain’s most prolific reformers, and yet theological analysis of his work often dismisses the originality of his corpus. This article returns to Pérez’s two primary theological treatises to reconsider Pérez’s relationship to Neoplatonism by examining Pérez’s vision of mystical union in the context of consolation narratives. Pérez published his Brief Treatise of Doctrine and Consolatory Epistle from exile in Geneva, in the same year his colleagues were executed in the notorious autos-de-fe often credited with eradicating Protestantism from Spain. Taken together, these works reveal Pérez’s ambivalence towards Neoplatonic imagery, adapting and rejecting language of ascent in his description of mystical union as a present reality, unimpeded by the flesh. Noting a curious absence of Neoplatonic strategies common across humanist, mystical, and Reformed traditions, Pérez’s unique rejection of language of purification of the soul is poised to grant insight, with future study, into the intersections and transformations of Reformation theology in the Spanish milieux.
The Duke of Olyka and the Saint: The Meeting between Mikołaj Krzysztof Radziwiłł and Pope Pius V (1566)
Authors: Terleckienė Eleonora
Published: April 2024

This article focuses on the meeting between Mikołaj Krzysztof Radziwiłł “the Orphan” (1549–1616), powerful magnate from the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, and Pope Pius V (1504–1572), its inclusion in the pope’s first biography, and its influence on his hagiography. The brief encounter in 1566 left an impression on the young duke, leading to his conversion to the Roman Catholic faith. The event was included in the first biography of Pius V, written by the Italian humanist Girolamo Catena. Following the pope’s beatification (1672) and canonisation (1712), the number of works devoted to Pius V significantly increased. Initially mentioned by only one of his titles, the “Duke of Olyka,” Radziwiłł’s identity was not always recognised by later authors, resulting in the abstraction and allegorisation of the event. The decontextualised mention of the Duke of Olyka appeared in various hagiographies of Pope Pius V as part of the narrative of his saintliness.
Between Jerusalem and Babylon: Catholic Discourses of Israel and National Identity in Elizabethan and Jacobean England (ca. 1560–1625)
Authors: Underwood Lucy
Published: April 2024

This article examines how English Catholics imagined Jerusalem and Israel in relation to themselves, their nation and their Church. While English Protestant uses of Jerusalem imagery have been well-studied, their inter-confessional context has received less attention, and yet it was crucial to shaping them. Catholic deployments of Old Testament images and typology were no less sophisticated and significant than Protestant ones; English Catholic texts show how multivalent imagery of Jerusalem and its antithesis, Babylon, could be used both to express and to attempt to resolve tensions between the officially Protestant nation and the “true” Church. Exploring Catholic conceptions of Jerusalem, England and the Church is valuable because it offers insight into the culture that formed English Catholic recusants, missionaries, exiles and politicians, but also because it is important to a properly integrated account of the religious politics of England.