bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Informative Cesarean Delivery Operative Steps Video on Maternal Anxiety Level: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Phetprapasri Panicha , Chanthasenanont Athita , Prasongvei Pichita , Nuallaong Winitra , Chaitrakulthong Suphachai , Pongrojpaw Densak
Published: September 2024

Background Cesarean section is the most common obstetric procedure performed. This can lead to maternal anxiety, which is a significant contributor to postpartum depression. This can adversely affect pregnant women both mentally and emotionally, negatively impacting their well-being and family bonding. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the addition of an informative cesarean section operative steps video on the maternal anxiety score compared with standard pre-cesarean section care. Methods This randomized controlled trial was conducted at Thammasat University Hospital, Thailand, between April and September 2023. Pregnant women who underwent their first cesarean section were allocated to two groups: intervention and control groups. Participants in the intervention group were required to watch a 5-minute informative video that elaborately described the process from pre-operative steps until post-operative care on the day scheduled for cesarean delivery. All participants received the same routine pre-operative and post-operative care. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) was used to measure both populations on two occasions: the day of scheduled cesarean delivery and postpartum day 1. Results A total of 178 women were recruited. The demographic and obstetric characteristics were similar between the two groups. The pre-operative STAI scores of the intervention and control groups were 42.9 and 44.1 points, respectively, with no significant difference. However, the post-operative anxiety score showed a significant decline in the intervention group compared to that in the control group (p = 0.002). Moreover, most of the participants in the intervention group showed a low level of anxiety after the operation, while half of the control group remained at a moderate to high level score. Conclusions The provision of an informative educational video before cesarean delivery is a powerful tool that significantly reduces cesarean operative anxiety and improves health outcomes. Thai Clinical Trials Registry on the 28 March 2023 (TCTR20230328001).
National Sentiments and Regional Flavour- A Socio-economic Study of Huvina Hadagali Jasmine
Authors: Joisa Jyeshtaraja , Joshi Harisha G , T C Kavitha , Bhasha Javed
Published: September 2024

Background This socio-economic analysis studies the influence of jasmine production on the economic well-being of farmers in Huvina Hadagali, a region known for its high-quality jasmine flowers. The Vijaya Nagara district’s Havina Hadagali area is well known throughout the country for its jasmine flower farming. In addition to being referred to as Mallige Nadu, this location is also known as Malligeya Tavaru. The cultivation of the jasmine flower is protected by the Geographical Indication (GI) Tag, and this flower has been popular in this region for a substantial amount of time. Methods Data was collected from a sample of 364 jasmine growers using a structured questionnaire in Huvina Hadagali, Vijayanagar district. The data focused on different socio-economic factors such as income levels, employment, market access, and agricultural techniques. The study is analysed using IBM SPSS through frequency analysis and 2-step clustering. Result The results demonstrate that the cultivation of jasmine makes a substantial contribution to the local economy, serving as a main or additional source of income for numerous households. Jasmine farming often contributes 40% of the whole household income, and during peak seasons, it provides significant economic advantages. Nevertheless, the highlighted obstacles were volatile market pricing, pest infestations, and limited access to contemporary farming practices. The study emphasises the crucial significance of cooperative societies and local marketplaces in stabilising income and offering essential resources and training to farmers. Conclusion The research highlights the necessity of governmental interventions focused on developing market infrastructure, offering financial assistance, and improving access to agricultural innovations to maintain and augment the economic advantages of jasmine cultivation in Huvina Hadagali.
"Life mapping" exploring the lived experience of COVID-19 on access to HIV treatment and care in Malawi
Authors: Harries Jane , Zolowere Ruby T. , Zokwana Khokhelwa , Lauer Krista , Bozinovski Jelena , Baptiste Solange L.
Published: September 2024

Background The COVID-19 pandemic in Malawi exacerbated, existing public health challenges including access to HIV treatment and care services. “Life Mapping,” a component of the Citizen Science community-led project in Malawi, documented the lived experiences and perspectives of people living with HIV in the context of COVID-19. Methods Citizen Science Life Maps is a three-year qualitative, longitudinal project utilizing collaborative and participatory research methods through digital storytelling to document peoples’ daily lives. Twenty participants living with HIV were recruited between 2022 and 2023 in two central regional districts of Malawi and two urban areas. The participants were given mobile smart phones to document the impact of COVID-19 on HIV prevention and treatment services, HIV treatment literacy, mental health and the COVID -19 vaccine. Data was analyzed using a thematic analysis approach. Results Access to HIV prevention and treatment slowly recovered yet introducing multi-month anti- retroviral dispensing raised concerns. In the absence of mental health care services, participants were resourceful in seeking alternative ways to deal with mental health. However, state sponsored violence in relation to COVID-19 public health measures impacted negatively not only on mental well-being but also on HIV treatment adherence. Whilst most recognized the importance of the COVID-19 vaccine, especially for people living with HIV, myths, misinformation, and conspiracy theories around the vaccine persisted especially religious themed misinformation. Conclusions The relationship between misinformation and COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy is complex and medical and scientific approaches may not be sufficient to prevent misinformation. Fear and misinformation are likely attributed to global uncertainty during the pandemic and the speed at which vaccines were developed with minimal opportunity to prepare global communities.
Disinformation as an obstructionist strategy in climate change mitigation: a review of the scientific literature for a systemic understanding of the phenomenon
Authors: Gertrudix Manuel , Carbonell-Alcocer Alejandro , Arcos Rubén , Arribas Cristina M. , Codesido-Linares Valeri , Benítez-Aranda Nerea
Published: September 2024

Background This study examines the scientific misinformation about climate change, in particular obstructionist strategies. The study aims to understand their impact on public perception and climate policy and emphasises the need for a systemic understanding that includes the financial, economic and political roots. Methods A systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted using the PRISMA 2020 model. The sample consisted of 75 articles published between 2019 and 2023, sourced from Web of Science, Scopus and Google Scholar. Methodological triangulation was performed to improve the analysis. Results The results show that technological approaches to misinformation detection, such as immunisation and fact-checking, are widely used. However, few studies look in depth at the operational structures that support systematic disinformation. Conclusions The study emphasises the urgent need to expand and deepen research on climate disinformation and argues for more global, comparative and adequately funded studies. It emphasises the importance of addressing the systemic complexity of disinformation and integrating different theoretical and methodological approaches. This will help to develop effective measures against hidden networks of influence and mitigate their disruptive effects. The research findings are relevant for policymakers, scientists, academics, the media and the public and will help to improve strategies to combat climate misinformation and promote science-based climate action.
Hearing problems in humans and mouse models with rare copy number variants associated with schizophrenia: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Murtough Stephen , Panconesi Daniele , Lu Chen , Abidoph Rosemary , Cotic Marius , Mills Daisy , Richards-Belle Alvin , Richards-Brown Maria , Saadullah Khani Noushin , Varney Lauren , Linden Jennifer F , Bramon Elvira
Published: September 2024

Background Hearing loss is a risk factor for developing auditory hallucinations and other psychosis symptoms. To date, very little research has investigated hearing loss in individuals with a high genetic risk of developing schizophrenia and other types of psychosis. 13 copy number variant (CNV) loci are robustly associated with an increased risk of schizophrenia. Of these, microdeletions at 22q11.2 often lead to some hearing loss, and mouse models of this CNV display impaired auditory functioning. We hypothesise that hearing impairment is an understudied mechanism that contributes to the formation of psychosis symptoms in individuals at high genetic risk. This scoping review will explore whether the 13 schizophrenia-associated CNVs are related to hearing problems, including peripheral hearing loss and other auditory problems, in humans and related mouse models. Methods Our scoping review will follow guidelines provided by the Joanna Briggs Institute and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews. A systematic search will be completed using PubMed (MEDLINE), Embase, PsychINFO, and Cochrane Library databases, as well as other sources to identify relevant grey literature. Search terms will include all commonly used synonyms for hearing loss and problems with auditory perception, and both human and mouse studies that describe relevant CNVs will be included. Search lists will be screened by two authors independently, according to eligibility criteria, and data will be extracted and summarised using a narrative approach, and meta-analysis methods will be used if possible. Conclusions To our knowledge, this will be the first scoping review to explore auditory functioning across all CNVs that confer high schizophrenia risk. Looking ahead, if hearing problems are a clinical feature in these groups (including humans and related mouse models), they may serve as useful genetic models for future mechanistic studies.
The genome sequence of the Frosted Green moth, Polyploca ridens (Fabricius, 1787)
Authors: Boyes Douglas , Crowley Liam M. ,   University of Oxford and Wytham Woods Genome Acquisition Lab,   Darwin Tree of Life Barcoding collective,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life Management, Samples and Laboratory team,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Scientific Operations: Sequencing Operations,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life Core Informatics team,   Tree of Life Core Informatics collective,   Darwin Tree of Life Consortium
Published: September 2024

We present a genome assembly from an individual male Polyploca ridens (the Frosted Green; Arthropoda; Insecta; Lepidoptera; Drepanidae). The genome sequence has a total length of 493.60 megabases. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 30 chromosomal pseudomolecules, including the Z sex chromosome. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 15.34 kilobases in length. Gene annotation of this assembly on Ensembl identified 12,321 protein-coding genes.
Analysis of Demographic Indicators in the Tula Region: Problems and Prospects
Authors: Kalyanov Aleksandr
Published: September 2024

The article analyzes the criteria affecting the level of demographic indicators in the Tula region. A comprehensive study of the birth rate in the Tula region for the period from 2002 to 2022 was carried out, using econometric tools, factors influencing the birth rate were selected, a regression model was built, and a forecast was made for the development of the birth rate in the Tula region. The result of the study was the identification and assessment of the significance of factors influencing the birth rate in the Tula region.
Operation of Russian Industrial Enterprises in Modern Conditions: Problems and Opportunities
Authors: Simonov M.
Published: September 2024

The study is devoted to the analysis of the operating conditions of industrial enterprises in Russia. The relevance of the study is emphasized by the period of economic instability in the Russian economy, which revealed the insufficient efficiency of industrial enterprises, expressed in low profitability of production. The purpose of the study is to analyze and systematize factors, problems and promising directions that determine the functioning of an industrial enterprise, and to develop measures to achieve economic sustainability in an unstable external environment.

As a result of the study, the main factors for the functioning of industrial enterprises in an unstable external environment were identified, and measures were proposed to increase the efficiency of enterprises, such as increasing energy intensity and developing exports.
The Polish adaptation of the Self-Compassion Scale Short Form
Authors: Holas Paweł , Szewczuk Juliana , Rusanowska Marzena , Krejtz Izabela , Jankowski Tomasz , Nezlek John
Published: September 2024

Cel pracy

Celem pracy była polska adaptacja skróconej Skali Współczucia Wobec Siebie (SCS-SF) oraz ocena jej właściwości psychometrycznych i struktury czynnikowej.

Metoda

W badaniu wzięły udział 596 osoby dorosłe (wieku 18-50 lat) z populacji ogólnej w tym 459 kobiet oraz dodatkowo 47 osób które zbadano dwa razy z miesięcznym odroczeniem celem oceny stabilności narzędzia. Procedura adaptacji została przeprowadzona z zachowaniem wierności tłumaczenia oryginalnej wersji skali. Rzetelność pomiaru oceniono za pomocą wskaźnika spójności wewnętrznej alfa Cronbacha oraz metody test-retest. Trafność zbieżną oceniono za pomocą analizy współczynników korelacji między wynikami SCS-SF a nasileniem: uważności (mindfulness, rozumianej jako cecha), satysfakcji z życia, poczucia własnej wartości, akceptacji doświadczeń oraz poziomem lęku i depresji. Stabilność pomiaru oceniano za pomocą współczynników korelacji wewnątrzklasowej zastosowanych do dwóch kolejnych pomiarów. Trafność czynnikową zweryfikowano za pomocą konfirmacyjnej analizy czynnikowej.

Wyniki

Wyniki wykazały, że SCS-SF w wersji polskiej ma satysfakcjonującą spójność wewnętrzną oraz stabilność. Analiza konfirmacyjna sugeruje obecność jednego głównego czynnika – globalnej oceny współczucia wobec siebie.

Wnioski

SCS-SF mierzy globalny poziom współczucia do siebie i może służyć do jej pomiaru szczególnie w badaniach o dużych ograniczeniach czasowych. W celu uzyskania informacji o podskalach współczucia wobec siebie wskazane jest używanie pełnej wersji SCS.
The notion and practice of psychotherapy in Polish psychiatry of the interwar period. Part 2
Authors: Kornaj Jan , Pankalla Andrzej
Published: September 2024

Celem pracy jest prześledzenie rozwoju rozumienia i praktyki psychoterapii w polskiej psychiatrii dwudziestolecia międzywojennego, w kontekście instytucjonalnego rozwoju polskiej psychiatrii i szpitalnictwa psychiatrycznego, wpływu czynników społecznych Drugiej Rzeczpospolitej oraz najważniejszych nurtów rozwoju psychoterapii europejskiej. Badanie osadzone jest w metodologii psychologii historycznej Kurta Danzigera, która służy badaniu historycznej ewolucji dowolnych przedmiotów psychologii (psychological objects). Materiał badawczy zgromadzono dokonując przeglądu literatury. Przegląd źródeł pierwotnych obejmował polskie czasopisma psychiatryczne wydawane w okresie dwudziestolecia międzywojennego, podręczniki psychiatrii oraz monografie psychiatryczne. Materiał uzyskany ze źródeł pierwotnych został uzupełniony o informacje pochodzące ze źródeł wtórnych: wybranych publikacji dotyczących historii polskiej psychiatrii oraz historii europejskiej psychoterapii. Jaroszyński zaproponował koncepcję „psychoterapii emocjonalnej”. Stryjeński zorganizował w Krakowie przychodnię dla psychicznie chorych, gdzie stosowano psychoterapię jako jedną z metod pomocy. Bilikiewicz opracował onejroanalizę – psychoterapeutyczną metodę analizy marzeń sennych. Gottliebowa opowiadała się za stosowaniem psychoterapii o wpływie psychoanalitycznym w praktyce ginekologicznej. Markuszewicz uważał psychoanalizę za jedyną metodę psychoterapeutyczną mającą na celu odkrycie prawdziwych przyczyn chorób psychicznych. Henryk Higier proponował potraktowanie psychoanalizy praktycznie jako metody psychoterapii. Krytyczne poglądy na temat psychoanalizy jako metody psychoterapeutycznej wygłosili Wirszubski i Mikulski. Wiele definicji i praktyk psychoterapii w polskiej psychiatrii okresu międzywojennego powstało pod wpływem psychoanalizy. Rozumienie i praktykowanie psychoterapii w publicznych placówkach psychiatrycznych różniło się od tego w praktyce prywatnej. Metody sugestii, perswazji i hipnozy, charakterystyczne dla dziewiętnastowiecznej psychoterapii, były nadal stosowane w polskiej psychiatrii okresu międzywojennego. Głównymi przeszkodami w rozwoju polskiej psychoterapii w okresie międzywojennym były postawy antysemickie, przyczyniające się do wrogości wobec psychoanalizy, a także orientacja biologiczna większości polskiego środowiska psychiatrycznego.
Uncovering Adrenal Incidentalomas – the role of imaging methods in diagnostic process
Authors: Matuszek Małgorzata , Woźniak Magdalena , Biłat Wiktor
Published: September 2024

Introduction and purpose
An adrenal incidentaloma is any lesion found unexpectedly during an imaging study performed for an unrelated reason. The detection rate of incidental adrenal tumors is steadily increasing. The clinical presentation of these tumors is influenced by the specific hormones production, which are determined by their origin. Most lesions are hormonally inactive and may go undetected by physicians, although some can be malignant. The aim of this work is to summarize the utility of different imaging modalities in clinical practice.
State of knowledge
All adrenal incidentalomas have to undergo an imaging procedure to determine if the mass is homogeneous and lipid-rich and therefore benign or if there are some malignant features. Noncontrast computed tomography is the primary imaging technique used to evaluate adrenal lesions based on their size, structure, and density. It is worth remembering that density <10 HU and homogenous appearance is consistent with a benign adrenal mass and no further imaging is required. When additional diagnostic clarification is needed, especially in malignancy suspicion, magnetic resonance imaging with a chemical shift technique should be conducted and it may be followed by nuclear medicine methods.
Conclusions
Imaging methods play crucial role in diagnostic process. Imaging studies provide easy follow-ups and allow to avoid unnecessary adrenalectomies and its complications. Therefore, they contribute to optimizing patients’ health management.
Transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) as a diagnostic tool for abscesses and fistulas of the anus. Anatomy and methodology of the TRUS examination
Authors: Łukaszewska Ewa , Jasiuk Ilona , Chrościński Kamil
Published: September 2024

Introduction

 Transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) is a valuable imaging technique used to diagnose abscesses and fistulas in the anorectal region. It provides detailed visualization of soft tissues and anatomical structures, making it a crucial tool for assessing conditions that are often challenging to diagnose with other methods. Our work explores the anatomy relevant to TRUS and outlines the methodology of the examination, emphasizing its importance in the accurate detection and treatment planning of anorectal disorders.

Aim of the study

 To evaluate the effectiveness of transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) as a diagnostic tool for identifying and assessing abscesses and fistulas in the anorectal region.

Methods and materials

This review was conducted based on available data published in the PubMed database, using the following phrases: "TRUS”, „abscess", „diagnosis of fistulas”, and ”anorectal disorders”.

 

Conclusion

 Transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) has proven to be a highly effective diagnostic tool for the detection and evaluation of abscesses and fistulas in the anorectal region. Its ability to provide clear visualization of soft tissues and complex anatomical structures enhances diagnostic accuracy, facilitating more precise treatment planning. By outlining the anatomical context and proper methodology for TRUS, this study highlights the technique’s value in improving clinical outcomes for patients with anorectal disorders. Further research and refinement of TRUS protocols may continue to optimize its diagnostic potential.
Ashwagandha as an Adaptogen: Its Influence on Sleep Patterns, Stress Response, and Anxiety in Modern Life
Authors: Haber Mateusz , Czachor Adrianna , Kula Paula , Juśkiewicz Adam , Grelewicz Olga , Kucy Natalia , Servaas Elwira , Kotula Alicja , Siemiątkowski Robert
Published: September 2024

Background:
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), a prominent adaptogen in traditional Ayurvedic medicine, has gained substantial attention for its potential to enhance resilience to modern stressors, improve sleep quality, and alleviate anxiety. Preclinical and clinical studies have demonstrated that Ashwagandha’s active compounds, particularly withanolides, influence the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, leading to reductions in cortisol levels and a more balanced stress response.
Puropose: This review aims to consolidate current evidence on Ashwagandha’s efficacy in modulating stress response, improving sleep patterns, and reducing anxiety levels.
Material and methods: The review was based on the analysis of materials collected in the databases "Pubmed", Google Scholar, ResearchGate, books and other scientific articles. The search was conducted using keywords: “Ashwagandha”, “Withania somnifera”, “adaptogen”, “stress”, “anxiety”, “sleep”, “cortisol”. “HPA axis”.
Results: A review of the literature has shown Ashwagandha anxiolytic properties, with effects comparable to standard anti-anxiety medications but with fewer side effects. Additionally, Ashwagandha has been shown to significantly improve sleep onset latency, sleep duration, and overall sleep quality, particularly in individuals suffering from stress-induced sleep disorders.
Conclusions: Ashwagandha shows significant potential as a natural therapy for managing stress, improving sleep quality, and reducing anxiety, primarily through its effects on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and cortisol regulation. Clinical trials have demonstrated its efficacy in improving sleep patterns and reducing anxiety, with a generally favorable safety profile. However, there is a need for further research, particularly to better understand the long-term effects and safety of Ashwagandha supplementation.
Oral manifestation of Crohn's disease
Authors: Broniec Gabriela , Kiełt Weronika , Kozłowska Julia , Wajdowicz Barbara , Kudła Aleksandra , Czapiewska Rozalia , Dziewulska Aleksandra , Wróbel Aleksandra , Pacek Laura , Kowalska Klaudia
Published: September 2024

Introdution: Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal tract, characterized by the cyclical onset and resolution of symptoms. It is a progressive disease that leads to intestinal damage and even disability. This disease can occur in any segment of the digestive system, from the mouth to the anus. The typical symptom is segmental inflammation in the small or large intestine, which is separated by healthy sections. The inflammation usually starts in the mucosa but, over time, spreads to the entire thickness of the intestinal wall, which can lead to intestinal damage, scarring, and the subsequent formation of fistulas and strictures. Inflammatory lesions most often occur in the last segment of the ileum, followed in order by the small and large intestines and the large intestine itself. Aim of the study: The purpose of this paper is to provide a general overview of Crohn's disease, focusing on oral symptoms. Materials and methods: An analysis of scientific articles available in Pubmed and Google Scholar databases was conducted. The study used publications from recent years that were most pertinent to the topic under discussion. The search process consisted of using the following keywords: “crohn's disease”, “oral manifestations”, “oral healh”, “Crohn's disease symptoms”. Results: In addition to the classic intestinal symptomatology, Crohn's disease can also manifest in the oral cavity. Symptoms that appear in the oral cavity may be early harbingers of Crohn's disease, occur concurrently with its onset, or manifest themselves several years after the onset of the condition. They most commonly involve the lips, buccal mucosa and gums. According to Malins and colleagues, these lesions can be divided into specific and non-specific ones. Conclusions: Crohn’s disease diagnoses are increasing, and early awareness of symptoms is crucial for timely diagnosis and prevention of complications.
Unleashing the Crowd: The Effect of Social Networks in Crowdfunding Markets
Authors: Peng Lin , Zhang Linyi
Published: September 2024

We identify the crucial role social networks play in crowdfunding markets. Investors are 50% more likely to fund projects that their peers support and are 11.2% more likely to fund projects from regions where they share strong social ties, given a one-standard-deviation change in the variables. More influential peers exert a greater influence, especially in the case of riskier projects, and the peer effects are amplified in crowdfunding platforms that prioritize transparency and accountability. Social ties transmit information about economic conditions in project locations, and they complement the influence of peer effects. Furthermore, the social network effects affect project funding outcomes and can be particularly valuable in mitigating the adverse effects of natural disasters. Our findings suggest that social networks play a significant role in crowdfunding markets by increasing investor awareness, disseminating information, and ultimately influencing capital allocations.

This paper was accepted by Kay Giesecke, finance.

Funding: L. Peng acknowledges the Keynes Fund, the Krell research grant, and the Wassermann research grant for financial support.

Supplemental Material: The online appendix and data files are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2022.01364 .
Vitamin D deficiency and thyroid cancer: is there a true association? A prospective observational study
Authors: Lanitis S , Gkanis V , Peristeraki S , Chortis P , Kalogeris N , Vryonidou A
Published: September 2024

Introduction

Literature data indicate a correlation between vitamin D deficiency and thyroid cancer (TC). We conducted this observational study to test this hypothesis.

Methods

We studied 327 consecutive thyroidectomy cases, and compared patients with TC and those who had benign thyroid disease (BTD). In total, 183 cases with well-differentiated TC (group B) were compared with 144 cases of BTD (group A). We defined 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)VitD) values <10ng/ml as severe vitamin D deficiency (15.4%), 10–30ng/ml as inadequacy (70.4%) and >30ng/ml as adequate (14.2%). We further used a cut-off point of 30ng/ml (used in a recent meta-analysis) to classify patients as vitamin D deficient or not.

Results

There was no statistically significant difference in the following: age, size of the thyroid gland, preoperative calcium levels, preoperative parathormone and vitamin D levels, body mass index and anti-thyroid antibodies. Only thyroid-stimulating hormone and weight of the thyroid gland were found to differ. There was no significant difference in mean vitamin D levels (group A = 19.82ng/ml [sd 9.59] vs group B = 19.69ng/ml [sd 11.34]; p = 0.917). The same was found when we compared the two groups according to the three categories of vitamin D values (deficiency, inadequacy, adequacy; p = 0.485) and when we performed the analysis based on all threshold levels (10, 20 and 30ng/ml; p = 0.328). Using various statistical methods, no correlation was found between vitamin D deficiency and differentiated TC (overall, microcarcinomas, macrocarcinomas).

Conclusions

Based on our results, no correlation between vitamin D deficiency and TC was confirmed, contradicting and questioning the results of two recent meta-analyses.
Shaftesbury's Stoic Impoliteness in the Soliloquy and Askêmata
Authors: Jost Jacob Sider
Published: September 2024

Abstract: Anthony Ashley Cooper, third earl of Shaftesbury, is widely understood as a philosopher of politeness. This essay shows the constructive role that impolite writing plays in his Characteristics (1711). Shaftesbury is impolite in two ways: he engages in inappropriate public soliloquy, and he uses vivid medical imagery of vomit and other bodily fluids. These two kinds of impolite speech are connected, and both point back to the private program of rigorous stoic exercises, the Askêmata , that Shaftesbury undertook in the years leading up to the publication of the Characteristics. Shaftesbury exploits the existence of these notebooks to practice a benevolent philosophical deception on contemporary readers, pretending to reveal secrets about himself that in fact remain hidden and demonstrating his indifference to reputation by risking rebuke from readers. But his impolite metaphors of bodily fluids function as waste in the critic Sophie Gee's sense of a remainder left over after something has been made. As such, they function as a textual trace of Shaftesbury's own philosophical process.
On Portraiture
Authors: Mudge Bradford
Published: September 2024

Abstract: This essay considers the large and unwieldy question—"What is portraiture?"—in order to understand more clearly the achievements in sculpture, painting, and print that characterize a period art historians have described as the "golden age" of the British portrait. The essay redefines portraiture to include all of the major and minor portrait types across media; it devises corresponding rhetorical modalities for those different material environments; and it proposes a system of dynamic interplay rather than one of static taxonomy. Crucial to this effort is the reconceptualization of the material object itself as an entity capable of modal effect separate and apart from image or likeness. Equally important is the recognition that the interplay in question can be understood as a process by which portraiture measures, exchanges, and stores portrait values in ways similar to those of monetary systems.
Satire and Sensibility: Rameau's Nephew
Authors: Hui Keri
Published: September 2024

Abstract: This essay offers a new interpretation of Rameau's Nephew , often regarded as one of the most perplexing pieces by Denis Diderot, that attends to the interconnectedness of his works. When considered in light of Paradox of Actor which reads as a companion piece to Rameau's Nephew alongside Elements of Physiology and Diderot's political writing, LUI's tearful behaviours reveal a sensibility sensitive to the suffering that took place in mid-eighteenth-century France. This sensibility helps reveal LUI as an exemplar of both the clavecin-philosophe discussed in D'Alembert's Dream and the "fanatical philosophe" in Observations on the Nakaz . Hovering between genius and mediocrity, LUI also emerges as a pretended fool who fools his spectators with theatrical illusions: despite showing an antihero appearance, he ironically, by unmasking falsehood, comes closer to resembling a sentimental bourgeois hero (albeit one with a satirical spirit) in a tyrannical society where no one triumphs as a truth-telling hero. Living in the shadow of his famed uncle, he also demonstrates that the basis of noble sensibility lies not in noble titles. Rameau's Nephew ultimately unfolds as not just a satire but also a comédie larmoyante , for it, as Paradox puts it, deals not only "with a tartufe" but "with the Tartufe," an idea that can be traced back to Molière's play Tartuffe which presents Tartuffe as an archetypal figure who epitomises moral and religious hypocrisy.
How to Prevent Political Violence
Authors: Kleinfeld Rachel , Sedaca Nicole Bibbins
Published: September 2024

ABSTRACT: In the United States, France, and Germany, political violence has been rising. Three factors are salient: Polarization convinces some people that violence is acceptable to keep opponents from power; extreme political parties normalize polarization and violence, leading to attacks from—and against—their supporters; and the democratically disillusioned use violence, not votes, to express themselves. Political violence can be reduced if: 1) leaders insist on nonviolence; 2) governments and politicians support the rule of law, accountability, and equitable policing; 3) voting systems dampen extremism; 4) communities organize across difference against violence; and 5) activists insist on nonviolence within their movements.
The Long Decline of South Africa's ANC
Authors: Everatt David
Published: September 2024

ABSTRACT: Three decades after the African National Congress (ANC) won 62.7 percent of the vote that propelled Nelson Mandela into the presidency in 1994, the ANC's vote share plummeted to 40.2 percent of the national vote in South Africa's 2024 general election (down from 57.5 percent five years previously,= and well below the 50 percent predicted by preelection polls). Against thirty years of pessimistic academic literature predicting the opposite, the ANC accepted electoral defeat. But this left the ANC in a strategic quandary. Had it reached the upper 40 percent range, easy coalitions with small parties would have passed the 50 percent threshold. But with only 40 percent, the party reached back into the early years of democracy and formed a government of national unity—a multiparty coalition that left the ANC's most significant political opponents out in the cold. ANC (and national) president Cyril Ramaphosa has sidelined Africanist parties and created a coalition with decidedly centrist parties. The "broad church" which has bedeviled the ANC is at an end. Multiparty coalition government has arrived in South Africa, but questions remain: Can ANC electoral decline be arrested by this sharp move towards the center? And what, if any, substantive role is there for the ANC in the future if not?
China and the Battle for the Global South
Authors: Barany Zoltan
Published: September 2024

ABSTRACT: Notwithstanding the dominant narrative of Beijing's takeover of fragile democracies, it is possible to resist Chinese autocratization while also reaping benefits from its development aid. Three variables predict a state's capacity to spoil the democracy-subversion campaign of the People's Republic of China (PRC): the strength of political institutions, the level of socioeconomic development, and the will of its traditional partners to help defy Beijing's policies and to offer alternative means of support. This essay dissects the PRC's modus operandi in undermining democracies in the global South and illustrates—through the experiences of Sri Lanka, the Solomon Islands, and Fiji—how China pursues its objectives and how countries it targets attempt to constrain its influence.
The Return of Dictatorship
Authors: Ekiert Grzegorz , Dasanaike Noah
Published: September 2024

ABSTRACT: In recent years, significant academic attention has been devoted to the phenomenon of democratic backsliding, understood as a creeping assault on the rule of law and the fairness of elections, combined with efforts to capture the judicial system and state agencies to subjugate them to the executive power. At the same time, however, there has been a parallel political development affecting hybrid and authoritarian regimes that has been more consequential yet largely neglected. Identified in this essay as dictatorial drift, this process implies the transition from "soft" forms of authoritarian rule to hardcore authoritarian policies, characterized by the emergence of unconstrained leaders with dictatorial ambitions; an extreme concentration of executive power; the marginalization of parliaments and the elimination of political opposition; the end of competitive elections; a takeover or destruction of the judiciary, independent media, and autonomous civil society organizations; and worsening political repressions. This essay documents such drift as a global phenomenon and probes its causes and consequences. The essay notes the exhaustion of mechanisms that constrained shifts towards dictatorship in the past and highlight how autocratic hegemonies today drive regime change in much the same way as Western liberal democracies once did in the early post–Cold War era.
The Nation on Trial: Tengiz Abuladze’s Repentance (1987) and Christian Frosch’s Murer (2018)
Authors: Krylova Katya
Published: September 2024

ABSTRACT: This article compares the Soviet Georgian film Repentance (Tengiz Abuladze, 1987) with the contemporary Austrian film Murer: Anatomy of a Trial (Christian Frosch, 2018), arguing that, through their courtroom scenes, these films put their respective nations on trial. Drawing on scholarship related to the trial film genre as well as on discourse related to law and justice (Hannah Arendt, Shoshana Felman), I show how, whether dealing with the crimes of Stalinism or Nazism, these films seek to confront their audiences with hitherto repressed aspects of their countries’ historical legacies.
Joint carrier phase tracking and IQ imbalance tolerance with the dynamic adaption of a reference constellation for probabilistic-shaped signals
Authors: Mir Sameer Ahmad , Venkatasubramani Lakshmi Narayanan , Barry Liam , Venkitesh Deepa
Published: September 2024

Probabilistic constellation shaping (PCS) has played a pivotal role in facilitating capacity enhancement towards Shannon limits. However, the higher cardinality PCS is susceptible to transmission system non-idealities such as transmitter IQ imbalance. In this paper, we demonstrate a phase noise correction algorithm that simultaneously adapts the ideal constellation points and, hence, the decision boundaries, using the gradient descent adaption to tolerate the transmitter IQ imbalance for PCS signals. The equalizer uses a common error signal obtained using the least mean square approach to recover the carrier phase and adapt the ideal constellation points. We numerically investigate the algorithm’s efficacy for 200 GBaud polarization multiplexed PCS-64QAM signal for a range of imbalance and entropy values. We also validate the performance of the proposed algorithm at various optical signal-to-noise ratio (OSNR) values and at larger laser linewidth values. The proposed algorithm applies to any modulation format and does not require any pilot symbols, hence improving the spectral efficiency compared to traditional algorithms that employ pilot symbols.
Zero-cost upgrade to a multi-fiber network with partial lane-change capabilities
Authors: Karandin Oleg , Musumeci Francesco , Charlet Gabriel , Pointurier Yvan , Tornatore Massimo
Published: September 2024

Growing capacity requirements are leading to the deployment of multiple fibers in each optical network link. Even though deploying state-of-the-art multi-fiber network architectures with stacked and independent fiber layers simplifies network design and control, spectrum can be used more efficiently if the optical-network nodes allow fiber layers to be interconnected, i.e., if the so-called lane change is enabled. Unfortunately, lane change in high-degree optical nodes requires wavelength selective switches (WSSs) with a high number of ports, which is prohibitively costly or even unfeasible with current WSS technology. Instead, lane change in low-degree optical nodes can be enabled at no extra cost, using WSS ports that are otherwise left empty. In this study, we describe our proposal for a multi-fiber network with partial lane-change capabilities and perform a simulative study to identify the advantages of this architecture, as well as discuss the emerging resource allocation challenges associated with it. We demonstrate that, by enabling lane change in degree-2 nodes, we can increase network throughput by 3% and restore 5%–8% more traffic in the case of single- and double-link failures at no additional equipment cost.
X-ray nano-holotomography reconstruction with simultaneous probe retrieval
Authors: Nikitin Viktor , Carlsson Marcus , Gürsoy Doğa , Mokso Rajmund , Cloetens Peter
Published: September 2024

In conventional tomographic reconstruction, the pre-processing step includes flat-field correction, where each sample projection on the detector is divided by a reference image taken without the sample. When using coherent X-rays as a probe, this approach overlooks the phase component of the illumination field (probe), leading to artifacts in phase-retrieved projection images, which are then propagated to the reconstructed 3D sample representation. The problem intensifies in nano-holotomography with focusing optics, which, due to various imperfections creates high-frequency components in the probe function. Here, we present a new iterative reconstruction scheme for holotomography, simultaneously retrieving the complex-valued probe function. Implemented on GPUs, this algorithm results in 3D reconstruction resolving twice thinner layers in a 3D ALD standard sample measured using nano-holotomography.
Dual-polarization reconfigurable metasurface for broadband vortex beam generation
Authors: Xie Ruifeng , Wang Yanxun , Ma Xiaoliang , Huang Jiahao , Cheng Ke , Zhang Lin , Zhang Zhe , Zhang Taiping
Published: September 2024

Recently, reconfigurable metasurfaces integrated with adaptable devices have demonstrated exceptional dynamic controllability across various applications, garnering considerable attention. However, many reported metasurfaces, particularly those supporting dual-polarization adjustability, exhibit limited broadband electromagnetic performance. To address this limitation, we propose a dual-polarized reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS) with a distinctive metal layer design. Our prototype, which consists of 6 × 6 units, has been experimentally validated for its broadband performance. This RIS enables simultaneous beam control, including both beam deflection and vortex beam generation, over a frequency range from 1.8 to 2.4 GHz, achieving a fractional bandwidth of 28.6% for dual-polarized waves. By expanding polarization functionality, our work provides a solution for enhancing channel capacity in communication systems, presenting promising applications in wireless communication.
Super-resolution electromagnetic imaging with an optical frequency comb sampling via multi-dimensional signal separation
Authors: Yang Meiling , Yang Yan , Feng Rongguang , Xie Shuguo
Published: September 2024

Electromagnetic sources show wide distribution, broad frequency coverage, and numerous quantities, posing challenges for traditional sensing techniques to achieve ultra-wideband, large-scale detection and localization. The “electromagnetic eye” imaging technique, inspired by the human eye, utilizes a Luneberg lens and a wideband optoelectronic sensing array as the electromagnetic “lens” and “retina,” respectively. This technique utilizes femtosecond optical pulse sampling reception to down-convert wideband signals, facilitating rapid, large range, and wideband sensing of multiple targets in complex electromagnetic environments. However, the limited aperture of the Luneberg lens results in diffraction-limited blurring, and optical down-conversion may lead to spectral aliasing, causing time-frequency-space overlap and reduced system resolution. In this paper, the frequency variation of the point spread function (PSF) in the wideband degraded images is analyzed, and a multi-dimensional joint super-resolution algorithm is proposed, which involves joint time-frequency-space diagonalization of eigenmatrices based on convolutional mixing array model. The concept is demonstrated through a four-sources imaging simulation achieving 2° resolution, breaking the Rayleigh limit 7.25 times. Furthermore, experimental results show 4-10 GHz imaging breaks the Rayleigh limit 4.5 times.
High-speed in toto 3D imaging with isotropic resolution by scanning light-field tomography
Authors: Chen Yifan , Wu Jiamin , Xiong Bo , Lu Zhi , Guo Yuduo , Zhang Yi , Fan Jiaqi , Xiao Guihua , Zhang Guoxun , Li Xiaopeng , Wang Xukang , Zhao Zhifeng , Dai Qionghai
Published: September 2024

In toto imaging of large-scale transparent samples or cleared tissue is in high demand in broad biological applications such as oncology, neuroscience, and developmental biology to understand the functions and organizations of large-scale cells at organ level. However, traditional methods usually face resolution degradation due to the missing cone problem and spatially nonuniform optical aberrations. In addition, dense axial scanning is often required with a small depth of field (DOF) during high-resolution imaging. Here, we propose a method, termed scanning light-field tomography (SLiT), which could rapidly image large-scale samples of 6×6×6mm3 in toto with near isotropic cellular resolution (x, z∼17µm, y∼10µm) within 30 s. Both the versatility and reliability of SLiT are validated by comparing the imaging performance with confocal microscopy on diverse samples. With high imaging speed and strong robustness to heterogeneous 3D aberrations, SLiT provides a competitive alternative for in toto imaging of large-scale transparent samples, providing new possibilities for exploring large-scale intercellular organizations and interactions across multiple organs.
Wie technologische Faktoren Ambidextrie in Software-Projekten beeinflussen
Authors: Staun Biangslev Christina , Krancher Oliver
Published: September 2024

Organisationen machen große Anstrengungen zur Verbesserung ihrer Ambidextrie, d. h. ihrer Fähigkeit sowohl Exploitationsziele (z. B. Effizienz, Vorhersagbarkeit) als auch Explorationsziele (z. B. Anpassbarkeit, Innovation) zu erreichen. Obwohl gemäß der Praxisliteratur Technologie in Software-Projekten dabei eine zentrale Rolle spielen kann, gibt es kaum Forschung dazu, wie technologische Faktoren Ambidexterie in Software-Projekten beeinflussen. In dieser Studie untersuchen wir die Rolle dreier technologischer Faktoren: kontinuierliche Integration, Standardisierung und Microservice-Architektur. Die Ergebnisse einer Mehrinformanten-Umfrage in 95 Projekten in der Schweiz und Dänemark zeigen, dass kontinuierliche Integration und Standardisierung mit höherer Ambidexterie einhergehen, während der Zusammenhang zwischen Microservice-Architektur und Ambidextrie nicht signifikant ist. Unser Artikel geht über die existierende Forschung hinaus, indem er zeigt, dass kontinuierliche Integration und Standardisierung nicht nur Exploitation, sondern auch Exploration fördern können. Wir diskutieren auch Gründe für den insignifikanten Zusammenhang zwischen Microservice-Architektur und Ambidextrie.