bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genotype and growth rate influence female mate preference in Xiphophorus multilineatus: Potential selection to optimize mortality-growth rate tradeoff
Authors: Fitschen-Brown Meredith , Morris Molly
Published: June 2023

The extent to which mate preferences are adaptive requires a better understanding of the factors that influence variation in mate preferences. Xiphophorus multilineatus is a live-bearing fish with males that exhibit alternative reproductive tactics (courter/sneaker). We examined the influence of a female’s genotype (courter vs sneaker lineage), growth rate, and social experience on mate preference for courter as compared to sneaker males. We found that females with a sneaker genotype and slower growth rates had stronger mate preferences for the faster growing courter males than females with a courter genotype, regardless of mating experience with one or both types of males. In addition, the relationship between strength of preference and growth rate depended on a females’ genotype; females with sneaker genotypes decreased their preference as their growth rates increased, a pattern that trended in the opposite direction for females from the courter genotypes. Disassortative mating preferences are predicted to evolve when heterozygous offspring benefit from increased fitness. Given male tactical dimorphism in growth rates and a mortality-growth rate tradeoff previously detected in this species, the variation in mating preferences for the male tactics we detected may be under selection to optimize the mortality-growth rate tradeoff for offspring.
Cytomegalovirus in donors for fecal microbiota transplantation, the phantom menace?
Authors: Galpérine Tatiana , Engelmann Ilka , Hantz Sebastien , Postil Déborah , Dewilde Anny , Deplanque Dominique , Martin Renaud , Labreuche Julien , Lazrek Mouna , Somers Stéphanie , Ribot Elodie , Alain Sophie
Published: June 2023

Background

Fecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT) has become the preferred treatment for recurrentClostridioides difficileInfections (CDI). However, donor screening is a complex process that varies between countries. The primary objective of screening is to prevent the transfer of potential pathogens from the donor to the recipient via feces. Many guidelines recommend Cytomegalovirus (CMV) testing as part of donor screening, but is the risk of CMV transmission well supported by evidence?

Materials/methods

A French prospective cross-sectional multicenter single-arm study estimated the frequency of detection of CMV in the stool of voluntary healthy donors selected for FMT. All preselected donors were tested for CMV antibodies in blood, and if positive, CMV DNA PCR was performed on whole blood and stool. For samples CMV positive in stool PCR, or case of serological markers positive for IgM, we planned isolation of CMV in cell culture.

Results

From June 1, 2016, to July 31, 2017, 500 healthy donors (250 per center) were recruited and 483 included. Of these, 301 were CMV seronegative, and 182 tested positive for CMV IgM and/or IgG. Stool CMV PCR was performed in 162 donors. In two cases, the initial analysis was positive, but below the limit of quantification. Repeated PCR tests using Siemens and Altostar assays were negative. No infectious CMV could be detected in cell culture of these two samples and in the stool of 6 CMV IgM-positive donors.

Conclusions

Our study shows that healthy volunteers with positive CMV serology do not shed CMV DNA in their stool, as detected by PCR or cell culture. This study provides another argument to remove CMV screening for FMT donors.
Is chimerism associated with cancer across the tree of life?
Authors: Kapsetaki Stefania E. , Fortunato Angelo , Compton Zachary , Rupp Shawn M. , Nour Zaid , Riggs-Davis Skyelyn , Stephenson Dylan , Duke Elizabeth G. , Boddy Amy M. , Harrison Tara M. , Maley Carlo C. , Aktipis Athena
Published: June 2023

Chimerism is a widespread phenomenon across the tree of life. It is defined as a multicellular organism composed of cells from other genetically distinct entities. This ability to ‘tolerate’ non-self cells may be linked to susceptibility to diseases like cancer. Here we test whether chimerism is associated with cancers across obligately multicellular organisms in the tree of life. We classified 12 obligately multicellular taxa from lowest to highest chimerism levels based on the existing literature on the presence of chimerism in these species. We then tested for associations of chimerism with tumour invasiveness, neoplasia (benign or malignant) prevalence and malignancy prevalence in 11 terrestrial mammalian species. We found that taxa with higher levels of chimerism have higher tumour invasiveness, though there was no association between malignancy or neoplasia and chimerism among mammals. This suggests that there may be an important biological relationship between chimerism and susceptibility to tissue invasion by cancerous cells. Studying chimerism might help us identify mechanisms underlying invasive cancers and also could provide insights into the detection and management of emerging transmissible cancers.
Impacts of antipsychotic medication prescribing practices in critically ill adult patients on health resource utilization and new psychoactive medication prescriptions
Authors: Jaworska Natalia , Soo Andrea , Stelfox Henry T. , Burry Lisa D. , Fiest Kirsten M.
Published: June 2023

Background

Antipsychotic medications are commonly prescribed to critically ill adult patients and initiation of new antipsychotic prescriptions in the intensive care unit (ICU) increases the proportion of patients discharged home on antipsychotics. Critically ill adult patients are also frequently exposed to multiple psychoactive medications during ICU admission and hospitalization including benzodiazepines and opioid medications which may increase the risk of psychoactive polypharmacy following hospital discharge. The associated impact on health resource utilization and risk of new benzodiazepine and opioid prescriptions is unknown.

Research question

What is the burden of health resource utilization and odds of new prescriptions of benzodiazepines and opioids up to 1-year post-hospital discharge in critically ill patients with new antipsychotic prescriptions at hospital discharge?

Study design & methods

We completed a multi-center, propensity-score matched retrospective cohort study of critically ill adult patients. The primary exposure was administration of ≥1 dose of an antipsychotic while the patient was admitted in the ICU and ward with continuation at hospital discharge and a filled outpatient prescription within 1-year following hospital discharge. The control group was defined as no doses of antipsychotics administered in the ICU and hospital ward and no filled outpatient prescriptions for antipsychotics within 1-year following hospital discharge. The primary outcome was health resource utilization (72-hour ICU readmission, 30-day hospital readmission, 30-day emergency room visitation, 30-day mortality). Secondary outcomes were administration of benzodiazepines and/or opioids in-hospital and following hospital discharge in patients receiving antipsychotics.

Results

1,388 propensity-score matched patients were included who did and did not receive antipsychotics in ICU and survived to hospital discharge. New antipsychotic prescriptions were not associated with increased health resource utilization or 30-day mortality following hospital discharge. There was increased odds of new prescriptions of benzodiazepines (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.61 [95%CI 1.19–2.19]) and opioids (aOR 1.82 [95%CI 1.38–2.40]) up to 1-year following hospital discharge in patients continuing antipsychotics at hospital discharge.

Interpretation

New antipsychotic prescriptions at hospital discharge are significantly associated with additional prescriptions of benzodiazepines and opioids in-hospital and up to 1-year following hospital discharge.
Targeting the MR1-MAIT cell axis improves vaccine efficacy and affords protection against viral pathogens
Authors: Rashu Rasheduzzaman , Ninkov Marina , Wardell Christine M. , Benoit Jenna M. , Wang Nicole I. , Meilleur Courtney E. , D’Agostino Michael R. , Zhang Ali , Feng Emily , Saeedian Nasrin , Bell Gillian I. , Vahedi Fatemeh , Hess David A. , Barr Stephen D. , Troyer Ryan M. , Kang Chil-Yong , Ashkar Ali A. , Miller Matthew S. , Haeryfar S. M. Mansour
Published: June 2023

Mucosa-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells are MR1-restricted, innate-like T lymphocytes with tremendous antibacterial and immunomodulatory functions. Additionally, MAIT cells sense and respond to viral infections in an MR1-independent fashion. However, whether they can be directly targeted in immunization strategies against viral pathogens is unclear. We addressed this question in multiple wild-type and genetically altered but clinically relevant mouse strains using several vaccine platforms against influenza viruses, poxviruses and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). We demonstrate that 5-(2-oxopropylideneamino)-6-D-ribitylaminouracil (5-OP-RU), a riboflavin-based MR1 ligand of bacterial origin, can synergize with viral vaccines to expand MAIT cells in multiple tissues, reprogram them towards a pro-inflammatory MAIT1 phenotype, license them to bolster virus-specific CD8+ T cell responses, and potentiate heterosubtypic anti-influenza protection. Repeated 5-OP-RU administration did not render MAIT cells anergic, thus allowing for its inclusion in prime-boost immunization protocols. Mechanistically, tissue MAIT cell accumulation was due to their robust proliferation, as opposed to altered migratory behavior, and required viral vaccine replication competency and Toll-like receptor 3 and type I interferon receptor signaling. The observed phenomenon was reproducible in female and male mice, and in both young and old animals. It could also be recapitulated in a human cell culture system in which peripheral blood mononuclear cells were exposed to replicating virions and 5-OP-RU. In conclusion, although viruses and virus-based vaccines are devoid of the riboflavin biosynthesis machinery that supplies MR1 ligands, targeting MR1 enhances the efficacy of vaccine-elicited antiviral immunity. We propose 5-OP-RU as a non-classic but potent and versatile vaccine adjuvant against respiratory viruses.
Preditores de psicopatologia
Authors: Lacomba-Trejo Laura , Marques Alda Patrícia , Diniz-Vieira Ana , Sotero Luciana , Major Sofia , Relvas Ana Paula
Published: June 2023

A pandemia poderá ter contribuído para um aumento do stresse, ansiedade e depressão, especialmente em pessoas com doenças crónicas (DC) prévias, uma vez que a perceção que se tem da COVID-19 pode ser muito importante para a saúde mental. O presente estudo comparativo entre pessoas com e sem DC visa analisar o impacto da doença na previsão de stresse, ansiedade e depressão. O estudo contou com a participação de 1208 adultos portugueses (numa relação amorosa), dos quais 83,3% mulheres (16,1% homens, 0,2% pessoas queer e 0,4% outros), com idades entre os 18 e os 81 anos (M = 44,40; DP = 10,52). A recolha de dados foi realizada durante o primeiro ano da pandemia, considerando todos os princípios éticos. Realizaram-se análises descritivas, diferenças de médias, correlações de Pearson e modelos de regressão hierárquica. Os sintomas ansiosos, depressivos e de stresse estão associados a uma maior perceção de ameaça da COVID-19. Finalmente, ter uma DC e uma elevada perceção de ameaça da COVID-19 prevê distress emocional. É destacada a importância da perceção da COVID-19 na previsão do distress emocional durante a pandemia.
Cantata de Natal “O Pássaro Azul”
Authors: Bernardino Paulo
Published: June 2023

A Cantata de Natal “O Pássaro Azul” – composta sobre poemas de António Arnaut (1936-2018) retirados de “O Pássaro Azul – Contos e Poemas de Natal” publicados, em 1998, pela Coimbra Editora – é uma obra Coral-Sinfónica de grandes dimensões, quer no seu efetivo, quer na sua duração (ca. 1:30). Na sua instrumentação, além dos habituais instrumentos da orquestra, encontramos também a Guitarra de Coimbra, alma da nossa canção conimbricense, metáfora da nossa portugalidade.
Com o apoio do programa “Garantir Cultura”, chegara a hora de “dar asas” ao “pássaro azul” de A. Arnaut, em homenagem não só a todos os artistas que tanto sofreram com a pandemia, mas também à bravura do Serviço Nacional de Saúde, na esperança de que as suas palavras possam apelar à mais profunda e sentida humanidade dentro de cada um de nós.
Espera-se que esta publicação possa contribuir para uma maior riqueza do património imaterial português, quer poético, quer musical, e que possa integrar o maior número possível de orquestras e coros portugueses, de modo a fazer chegar as homenagens implícitas a todos os palcos no nosso país.
Gender Integration in NDCs: A Commonwealth Best Practice Guide
Authors: Secretariat Commonwealth
Published: June 2023

This best practice guide supports Commonwealth member countries to integrate gender into Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) – the documents at the apex of national frameworks for climate mitigation and adaptation actions, through which gender equality outcomes can be progressed.

The 2013 Commonwealth Charter recognises ‘gender equality and women’s empowerment as critical preconditions for effective and sustainable development’. Integrating gender into Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) is an iterative process of increasing ambition to meet Commonwealth, national and international gender equality goals.

It is intended for stakeholders of the NDC update process: national climate change focal points, national gender-responsible entities, sectoral leads, Commonwealth National and Regional Climate Finance Advisers of the Commonwealth Climate Finance Access Hub (CCFAH), as well as those who carry out research and assessments on which future NDCs are based.

The guide encourages users to reflect on the NDC update processes to date, and provides a sample of best practices from across the Commonwealth. Tips and useful references are also included, all aimed at increasing gender equality through climate action. Best practices have been divided into five sections, covering:

policy alignment and clarity of intent
financing gender expertise and gender budgeting
skills for a gender-just transition
evidencing a gender-just transition
institutional collaboration and feedback mechanisms.
Each section includes basic questions for consideration by stakeholders, along with a Commonwealth progress check, informed by data from the Commonwealth NDC Tracker which will launch in 2023, and a theoretical timeline of iterative actions to help mainstream gender into NDCs by the 2025 cycle.
Evaluation of the Commonwealth Secretariat's Support to Small States
Authors: Secretariat Commonwealth
Published: June 2023

This evaluation of the Commonwealth Secretariat’s Support to Small States covers two strategic periods: 2013/14-2016/17 and 2017/18-2020/21. It focuses on selected interventions from the dedicated small states pillar (Pillar 5: Small and Vulnerable States) as well as the other pillars (Pillar 1: Democracy, Pillar 2: Public Institutions, Pillar 3: Youth and Social Development, and Pillar 4: Economic Development). The evaluation process ran from February 2021 to August 2021.

Thirty-two of the 56 Commonwealth member countries are small and vulnerable states, many of which share similar vulnerabilities and characteristics associated with their sensitivity and exposure to exogenous shocks.
Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Self-assessment Toolkit: Facilitator Guide
Authors: Secretariat Commonwealth
Published: June 2023

Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) is essential to equip youth and adults with the necessary skills for employment and entrepreneurship and to achieve sustainable development. The Nassau Declaration1 at the 19th Conference of Commonwealth Education Ministers (19CCEM) in June 2015 highlighted the Commonwealth values of equity and access, and the key role of education for sustainable development. At this conference, Ministers welcomed the significant contributions of the Commonwealth Ministerial Working Group towards achieving the targets among member countries for quality education involving performance, pathways and productivity (3Ps).

The revised Commonwealth TVET Toolkit 2021 includes new responses for vocational education systems in a post-pandemic world to enable knowledge transfer between member countries and facilitate a green recovery through low carbon industries and economies. This Toolkit is expected to support member countries across the Commonwealth to assess the strengths and weaknesses of their TVET systems, identify key gaps in policies and delivery mechanisms, and prioritise areas for further development.
Corner-Based Implicit Patches
Authors: Sipos Ágoston
Published: June 2023

Free-form multi-sided surfaces are often defined by side interpolants (also called ribbons), requiring that the surface has to connect to them with a prescribed degree of smoothness. I-patches represent a family of implicit surfaces defined by an arbitrary number of ribbons. While in the case of parametric surfaces describing ribbons is a well-discussed problem, defining implicit ribbons is a different task.
In this paper, we introduce a new representation, corner I-patches, where implicit corner interpolants are blended together. Corner interpolants are usually simpler, lower-degree surfaces than ribbons. The shape of the patch depends on a handful of scalar parameters; constraining them ensures continuity between adjacent patches. Corner I-patches have several favorable properties that can be exploited for design, volume rendering, or cell-based approximation of complex shapes.
Transjugular Liver Biopsy versus Transfemoral Liver Biopsy
Authors: Stibbs Peter
Published: June 2023

This clinical evaluation paper aims to discuss transjugular liver biopsy (TJLB) and its indications, procedural aspects,related anatomy and pathology, known complication rates, and compare it to transfemoral liver biopsy (TFLB). We willalso review literature published by Dr. Jacub Cynamon of Montefiore Medical Center on TFLB f or a comprehensivecomparison.
Assessment of Temporary Radioactivation for Tissue Expanders in Breast Radiation Therapy: Preliminary Study
Authors: Lee Hwajung , Oh Do Hoon , Yoo Lee , Chun Minsoo
Published: June 2023

Background: As breast tissue expanders consist of metallic materials in the needle guard and ferromagnetic injection port, irradiation can produce radioactivation.Materials and Methods: A CPX4 (Mentor Worldwide LLD) breast tissue expander was exposed using the Versa HD (Elekta) linear accelerator. Two photon energies of 6 and 10 MV-flattening filter free (FFF) beams with 5,000 monitor units (MU) were irradiated to identify the types of radiation. Furthermore, 300 MU with 10 MV-FFF beam was exposed to the CPX4 breast tissue expander by varying the machine dose rates (MDRs) 600, 1,200, and 2,200 MU/ min. To assess the instantaneous dose rates (IDRs) solely from the CPX4, a tissue expander was placed outside the treatment room after beam irradiation, and a portable radioisotope identification device was used to identify the types of radiation and measure IDR.Results and Discussion: After 5,000 MU delivery to the CPX4 breast tissue expander, the energy spectrum whose peak energy of 511 keV was found with 10 MV-FFF, while there was no resultant one with 6 MV-FFF. The time of each measurement was 1 minute, and the mean IDRs from the 10 MV-FFF were 0.407, 0.231, and 0.180 μSv/hr for the three successive measurements. Following 10 MV-FFF beam irradiation with 300 MU indicated around the background level from the first measurement regardless of MDRs.Conclusion: As each institute room entry time protocol varies according to the working hours and occupational doses, we suggest an addition of 1 minute from the institutes’ own room entry time protocol in patients with CPX4 tissue expander and the case of radiotherapy vaults equipped with a maximum energy of 10 MV photon beams.
First Croatian Case of Double Aneuploidy: A Child With Klinefelter and Edwards Syndrome (48,XXY,+18) – Possible Causes and Contributing Factors
Authors: Batinović Ena , Papazovska Cherepnalkovski Anet , Lozić Bernarda , Brajković Luka , Zanchi Ivana , Pavlov Vesna , Bucat Marija
Published: June 2023

We report a case of double aneuploidy in a preterm male newborn with karyotype 48,XXY,+18 whose mother was of advanced age and infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus during the early stages of her pregnancy. The clinical features observed in the newborn included intrauterine growth retardation, dysmorphic facial features, overlapping fingers on both hands, respiratory distress syndrome, ventricular septal defect, patent ductus arteriosus, persistent pulmonary hypertension, and bilateral clubfoot, a phenotype that mainly correlates with Edwards syndrome (trisomy 18). To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of double aneuploidy in Croatia. This paper provides a detailed description of the clinical presentation and treatment strategies used, with the aim of providing valuable data for future recognition and management of similar cases. Furthermore, we discuss the mechanisms of nondisjunction that might account for this rare form of aneuploidy.
Koncepcja edukacji uniwersyteckiej Johna Henry’ego Newmana
Authors: Taylor Sarah
Published: June 2023

The functioning of today’s universities has been influenced by centuries of changing educationalconcepts. The aim of the article is to describe and examine one of them – the concept of universityeducation by John Henry Newman, which was created in the second half of the 19th century.Newman described his educational ideal, which he wanted to put into practice while being rector ofthe Catholic University of Ireland in Dublin. He stated that the function of the university must bebroad, it should include both practical studying and learning universal knowledge as well as thecomprehensive development of students. Newman built this concept on the basis of personal beliefs,his Christian faith and ties with the Catholic and Anglican churches and experiences from studyingat the University of Oxford. The article analyses the works of Newman and explores the foundationsof his educational concept.
Joanna Targońska. Die Entwicklung der Kollokationskompetenz im DaF-Unterricht am Beispiel des Erwerbs von Substantiv-Verb-Kollokationen. Berlin u.a.: Peter Lang. 2021. S. 512
Authors: Jakosz Mariusz
Published: June 2023

Joanna Targońska. Die Entwicklung der Kollokationskompetenz im DaF-Unterricht am Beispiel des Erwerbs von Substantiv-Verb-Kollokationen. Berlin u.a.: Peter Lang. 2021. S. 512
Carmen King Ramírez / Barbara A. Lafford / James E. Wermers. Online world language instruction training and assessment: An ecological approach. Washington, DC: Georgetown University Press. 2021. Pp. 298
Authors: Kiliçkaya Ferit
Published: June 2023

Carmen King Ramírez / Barbara A. Lafford / James E. Wermers. Online world language instruction training and assessment: An ecological approach. Washington, DC: Georgetown University Press. 2021. Pp. 298
The reception and representation of English as an academic language among foreign students in Poland and its influence on (re)shaping individual identities
Authors: Furman Mateusz , Aleksandrzak Magdalena
Published: June 2023

The article discusses selected problems of learning and using English as an academic language from the perspective of foreign students in Poland. The theoretical part of the paper concentrates on the issues related to the concept of identity and the status of English as an academic lingua franca, especially in the light of the growing role of English for Academic Purposes (EAP) in university education. Such theoretical background is intended to serve as a kind of introduction to the discussion which centres around the influence of this specific social variation of the English language on the process of shaping or reshaping identities among students who have decided to continue their education outside their native language environment in the multilingual context of a university language department. Seen from such a perspective, university courses in EAP may be treated as a form of practical implementation of multilingual pedagogy and, more specifically, the idea of inclusive “classrooms” with a particular goal-oriented curriculum. The empirical part of the article presents the research project which aimed to examine the above-mentioned phenomena as experienced by a group of language students of different ethnic and national background who have been studying (and living) in Poland for at least a year. The main research technique used in this qualitative study was the semi-structured interview, selected with a view to obtaining an in-depth picture and highly personalised account of the process of (re)constructing individual identities in a specific social context and educational setting.
Approaches to the increasing linguistic diversity in Greek and Polish classrooms: Different contexts with similar problems
Authors: Papasoulioti Aspasia , Fountana Maria , Szczepaniak-Kozak Anna , Adamczak-Krysztofowicz Sylwia
Published: June 2023

The paper discusses key educational issues related to the processes of decision-making and continuous teacher development at the level of the national (educational) authorities in Greece and Poland, regarding the urgency of the needs arising from the intensifying migration in the EU over the last two decades, and in view of the research conducted within the MaMLiSE project. The paper begins by reporting the official decisions and policies which laid the grounds for tackling the considerable linguistic variety that now characterises the school populations in each country, caused by the phenomenon of migration, and with refugee flows included. In addition, country-specific methods and resources used to produce educational materials for pupils from a migration background are presented. Finally, the available educational materials and their suitability to the specificity of each country’s current educational conditions are discussed. The concluding remarks are that a strong need is currently emerging for 1) nominating key-points in the pre- and in-service training of teachers with regard to multilingual classroom management, intercultural awareness and language sensitive subject teaching, 2) extrapolating common features necessary for the production of educational material (e.g. adaptability to new conditions, ease and flexibility of use in class, allowing translanguaging practices), and 3) negotiating shared educational principles (e.g. assessment framework, constructive use of language heritages at schools).
Kompetencja międzykulturowa a umiejętność sporządzenia dokumentów aplikacyjnych (na materiale języka niemieckiego)
Authors: Bawej Izabela
Published: June 2023

On the job market today, people with a (very) good knowledge of a foreign language, such as German, are in demand. Candidates are required to submit their application documents in this language. Unfortunately, having grammatical correctness and a rich vocabulary are not enough to write a job application and a CV. In order to prepare these documents correctly, it is necessary to know the differences between one’s own and the other culture, in this case the culture of German-speaking countries. The aim of this paper is to present the findings of an exploratory study examining errors students made naming and expressing selected elements of the non-lingual reality that represent a specific kind of reflection of new and often foreign realities in covering letters and CVs. Due to the limited framework of this paper, it is focused on intercultural aspects. While these seem to be very simple, they may cause difficulties because of the characteristic way they are presented in the acquired language, such as the use of courtesy rules, the recording of the date, giving of personal data, writing about foreign languages skills or providing information about a driving licence.
Oświadczenia środowiskowe dotyczące żywności – aspekty prawne
Authors: Wojciechowski Paweł
Published: June 2023

W artykule zaproponowano definicję oświadczeń środowiskowych dotyczących żywności, wskazano na cele prawa żywnościowego istotne dla tego rodzaju oświadczeń oraz omówiono regulację zarówno z zakresu prawa żywnościowego, jak i prawa konsumenckiego, istotną dla stosowania oświadczeń środowiskowych dotyczących żywności. W konkluzji autor wskazuje, że z uwagi na rozpowszechniające się zjawisko nierzetelnego stosowania oświadczeń środowiskowych przyjęcie regulacji wyznaczających ramy stosowania tego rodzaju oświadczeń w odniesieniu do żywności jest zdecydowanie potrzebne i może przyczynić się do efektywniejszej realizacji celów prawa żywnościowego.
“A smooth transition or a giant leap?” The challenges posed by the transition from secondary education to higher education in relation to EMI in Sri Lanka
Authors: Mahawattha Nadee , Rassool Romola
Published: June 2023

Although bilingual education has been offered in some schools of Sri Lanka since 2001, primary and secondary school education has been conducted mainly in the first language (L1), that is, Sinhala/Tamil. As a result, most students sit for the General Certificate of Education – Advanced Level (GCE (A/L) examination, which determines university entry, in their L1. Thus, the majority of students entering state universities do so after receiving their entire education in their L1. At the tertiary level, where many (if not most) degree programs are conducted in the English medium, students struggle to make the transition from Sinhala/Tamil medium instruction to English medium instruction (EMI). This study examines the challenges faced by students and lecturers in three selected state universities due to this language transition. It employs a qualitative research design. Data were collected through official documents and semi-structured interviews with forty academics. Three focus group interviews were conducted with thirty undergraduates. In addition, eighteen non-participant lectures were observed in mainstream classrooms. The findings indicate several structural, institutional, and linguistic challenges on the way to a successful implementation of EMI in state universities and demonstrate that the transition from GCE (A/L) to EMI in universities is a challenging experience for both students and lecturers. We propose that the concept of academic literacies be used as a productive means of supporting undergraduates through their transition to EMI.
The impact of EMI on student English writing proficiency in a Spanish undergraduate engineering context
Authors: Del Mar Sánchez-Pérez María
Published: June 2023

This study analyzes the influence of English medium instruction (EMI) on student English writing development in a Spanish undergraduate context, a language skill that remains underexplored in EMI research at tertiary level. Through a longitudinal pre- and post-test method, it explores the writing progress of EMI engineering students as compared to the achievement of a group of English as a foreign language (EFL) learners, according to different quantitative and qualitative writing measures. Results show a positive impact of EMI on student writing development at the levels of lexical accuracy and vocabulary. However, other writing areas, such as syntax, grammar, organization, or fluency, appeared unaffected. These findings challenge, to some extent, the widespread assumption that EMI contributes to improving student English language proficiency. This study suggests that sole exposure to the language in EMI contexts does not suffice to improve students’ English writing abilities beyond the area of vocabulary. Therefore, it argues for the inclusion of language skill support within EMI programs to provide students with opportunities to achieve a comprehensive development of their English language and writing competence.
Some results on fractional Hahn difference boundary value problems
Authors: Baheeg Elsaddam A. , Oraby Karima M. , Akel Mohamed S.
Published: June 2023

Fractional Hahn boundary value problems are significant tools to describe mathematical and physical phenomena depending on non-differentiable functions. In this work, we develop certain aspects of the theory of fractional Hahn boundary value problems involving fractional Hahn derivatives of the Caputo type. First, we construct the Green function for an

α
th

\alpha {\rm{th}}

-order fractional boundary value problem, with

1
<
α
<
2

1\lt \alpha \lt 2

, and discuss some important properties of the Green function. The solutions to the proposed problems are obtained in terms of the Green function. The uniqueness of the solutions is proved by various fixed point theorems. The Banach’s contraction mapping theorem, the Schauder’s theorem, and the Browder’s theorem are used.
Concept of dementia (Nisy
ā
n) in Unani system of medicine and scientific validation of an important Unani pharmacopoeial preparation ‘Majoon Vaj’ for its management: a review
Authors: Aleem Mohd , Khan Md Imran
Published: June 2023

Objectives

This review focused on the concept of dementia in the Unani system of medicine and comprehensive, updated information on Majoon Vaj about the phytochemistry, nootropic, CNS activities and provide insights into potential opportunities for future research.

Methods

The classical literature on Majoon Vaj for its anti-dementic properties, and therapeutic uses were gathered from nearly thirteen classical Unani books including Unani Pharmacopoeia. The information of pharmacognosy, phytochemical and pharmacological activities of Majoon Vaj and its ingredient was collected by browsing the Internet (PubMed, ScienceDirect, Wiley online library, Google Scholar, ResearchGate). The relevant primary sources were probed, analysed, and included in this review. The keywords used to browse were Majoon Vaj, Dementia, Nootropic, Acorus calamus, Piper nigram, Zingiber officinalis, Nigella sativa, Carum carvi, Plumbago zeylanica, and β-asarone. Relevant Sources were gathered up to July 2021, and the chemical structures were drawn using ACD/ChemSketch software. The species name and synonyms were checked with WFO (2021): World Flora online (http://www.worldfloraonline.org) an updated version of ‘The Plant List.’

Results

Majoon Vaj contains an excess of bioactive compounds e.g., alkaloids, phenols, flavonoids, tannins, diterpenes, coumarins, carbohydrates, and fixed oils and its ingredients possess broad pharmacological properties, including cognitive-enhancing, neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.

Conclusions

The literature of Unani medicine is quite rich in discussing the pathophysiological basis of memory disorders. It argues that memory, retention, and retrieval are regulated by a complex process involving various faculties. Majoon Vaj seems to have great potential for therapeutic applications in the treatment of dementia and thus encourage more preclinical and clinical trials in this field.
Adhesive wear behavior of FeB–FeMn–C coatings produced by GTAW
Authors: Yaz Mehmet
Published: June 2023

In this paper, a high energy density beam of gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) was employed to build a surface over low carbon steel with FeMn, FeB, and graphite powders. X-ray diffraction, optical microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray analysis, scanning electron microscopy, micro hardness tester, and adhesive wear tester were used for researching behavior of the composite coating which microstructure, hardness and dry-sliding wear. Many different carbides and borides, including Mn5C2, Fe3C, B8C, MnB, B4C, Fe3B, Fe7C3, FeB, and Mn2B, were found on the coated surfaces. The microstructure analysis shows that the shape of the graphite also depends on the FeMn–FeB–C content. The smallest weight loss was obtained from Sample S4 and the critical sliding distance was enhanced by adding graphite from 5 to 20 wt% at transition from oxidative to abrasive.
Managing future cities: media and information and communication technologies in the context of change
Authors: Mikucki Jacek
Published: June 2023

Purpose

The goal of this paper is to examine the usage of information technologies and media in two European case studies – Berlin and Warsaw. Findings from the research can be used to create urban policies and media infrastructure design, based on the different strategies of two European cities. Berlin and Warsaw have taken different paths in implementing the smart city concept, adapting the idea to their economic, historical, and social realities. Media are understood here as human-machine and machine-machine communications, and also in terms of both physical and digital media infrastructure.

Methodology

The research aims at examining strategies and institutions (both private and public) in light of the practical implementation of smart solutions by City Hall authorities. The study combines analysis of grey literature (news reports, corporate strategies, City Hall documentation) with qualitative research: 30 semi-structured interviews conducted with local municipalities and city planners in both cities.

Findings

Findings are likely to provide evidence potential drivers and barriers to the implementation of smart city solutions. The results provide evidence that media and information technologies in the city are implemented due to the data policies of entities that usually implement smart city strategy independently. The task of city authorities is to guarantee access to basic infrastructure, which is the basis for creating other solutions by private entities.

Practical implications

The empirical research is likely to provide evidence that Berlin and Warsaw have not yet fully appreciated the solutions based on communication between machines, but there is increasing use of ‘ad hoc’ solutions.

Social implications

This study may be used as a source of information for smart city managers, media infrastructure, and urban strategy with a focus on residents and information and communication technologies. Findings are addressed to media and urban experts and scholars, as well as sociologists, political scientists, engineers, ICT specialists, policy-makers, city managers and citizens.

Value

The study shows the growing importance of mobile devices, media-like services and ICT have resulted in changes in City Hall’s development strategies and new theoretical approaches through which the cities might be analysed. This study finds that networks, platforms and media infrastructure have been used to describe new ways of communication between city authorities, citizens and machines. It has been argued that fostering an advanced media infrastructure (soft and hard) has the potential to create “The Future City”.
Economic burden of osteoarthritis – multi-country estimates of direct and indirect costs from the BISCUITS study
Authors: Hallberg Sara , Rolfson Ola , Karppinen Jaro , Schiøttz-Christensen Berit , Stubhaug Audun , Toresson Grip Emilie , Robinson Rebecca L. , De Geer Anna , Schepman Patricia
Published: June 2023

Data from ‘BISCUITS’, a large Nordic cohort study linking several registries, were used to estimate differences in average direct and indirect costs between patients with osteoarthritis and controls (matched 1:1 based on birth year and sex) from the general population in Sweden, Norway, Finland and Denmark for 2017. Patients ≥18 years with ≥1 diagnosis of osteoarthritis (ICD-10: M15–M19) recorded in specialty or primary care (the latter available for a subset of patients in Sweden and for all patients in Finland) during 2011–2017 were included. Patients with a cancer diagnosis (ICD-10: C00–C43/C45–C97) were excluded. Productivity loss (sick leave and disability pension) and associated indirect costs were estimated among working-age adults (18–66 years). In 2017, average annual incremental direct costs among adults with osteoarthritis (n=1,157,236) in specialty care relative to controls ranged between €1,259 and €1,693 (p<0.001) per patient across all countries. Total average annual incremental costs were €3,224–€4,969 (p<0.001) per patient. Healthcare cost differences were mainly explained by osteoarthritis patients having more surgeries. However, among patients with both primary and secondary care data, primary care costs exceeded the costs of surgery. Primary care constituted 41 and 29 % of the difference in direct costs in Sweden and Finland, respectively. From a societal perspective, the total economic burden of osteoarthritis is substantial, and the incremental cost was estimated to €1.1–€1.3 billion yearly for patients in specialty care across the Nordic countries. When including patients in primary care, incremental costs rose to €3 billion in Sweden and €1.8 billion in Finland. Given the large economic impact, finding cost-effective and safe therapeutic strategies for these patients will be important.
Dynamische Aufgabenallokation in der Fabrik der Zukunft
Authors: Tausch Alina , Kluge Annette
Published: June 2023

Aufgabenallokation ist eine Ex-ante-Entscheidung der Produktionsplanung, lässt mit steigender Dynamisierung aber zu wenig Veränderung und Beteiligung der Beschäftigten zu. Kern des Beitrags ist das Verständnis von Aufgabenaufteilung als intentional gestalteter Prozess, der in verschiedenen Konfigurationen an die Arbeitssituation anzupassen ist. Wir präsentieren zur Entscheidungsunterstützung ein Ordnungsschema mit Merkmalen von Allokationsprozessen, das Optionen dynamischer und partizipativer Gestaltung aufzeigt.
Physische Belastungen und Beanspruchungen von Augmented-Reality-Brillen
Authors: Berns Felix , Weber Marc-André , Strauß Henning
Published: June 2023

Aus innovativen Projekten im Zusammenhang mit Industrie 4.0 geht die Implementierung von Augmented-Reality-Systemen als Assistenz für die Überwachung, Steuerung und Durchführung von Montageprozessen hervor. In der vorliegenden Studie wurde untersucht, welche physischen Belastungen beim Gebrauch von AR-Brillen auf Nutzer einwirken und welche Beanspruchungen daraus auf den menschlichen Körper resultieren können. Dabei führte eine Gruppe von 20 Probanden Zeichenaufgaben mit jeweils drei unterschiedlichen Datenbrillen durch. Die gewonnenen Erkenntnisse können dazu beitragen, die Einführung und tägliche Arbeit mit AR-Brillen im industriellen Umfeld zu erleichtern sowie Mitarbeitern eine ausführbare und vor allem schädigungslose Arbeit zu gewährleisten.
Sozio-technische Einflussfaktoren auf die Bedienbarkeit von Werkzeugmaschinen
Authors: Lange Luisa , Buxbaum-Conradi Sonja , Redlich Tobias , Wulfsberg Jens P.
Published: June 2023

In einem explorativen, qualitativen Forschungsansatz beschäftigt sich dieser Beitrag mit der Aufarbeitung der Grundprobleme und -Herausforderungen, die Bedienende beim Anwenden und Einarbeiten in Werkzeugmaschinen haben sowie mit der Fragestellung, welche Punkte die Bedienbarkeit einer Werkzeugmaschine grundsätzlich beeinflussen. Auf Basis einer Interviewstudie und einer begleitenden heuristischen Analyse wurden drei zentrale Dimensionen der Bedienbarkeit identifiziert: die technische, die kognitive und die affektive Dimension. Diese Dimensionen werden näher beschrieben und ihr Einfluss auf die Bedienbarkeit von Werkzeugmaschinen hinsichtlich ihrer Interdependenzen analysiert.
Merging Athletic Development With Skill Acquisition: Developing Agility Using an Ecological Dynamics Approach
Authors: Cassidy Jordan , Young Warren , Gorman Adam , Kelly Vince
Published: June 2023

Agility has commonly been regarded as a physical quality, and strength and conditioning practitioners have typically used a closed environment approach for developing agility. This closed environment approach involves the decoupling of perception and action, where actions are trained in isolation from perception. Previous studies have shown, however, that when perception or action is trained in isolation, behavior changes. Therefore, agility is complex and multifactorial in nature. Through ecological dynamics, specifically the principle of representative learning design, practitioners should design training tasks that align more closely with the demands of competition. Representative learning design ensures that perception and action remain coupled to promote greater transfer of performance from training to competition. Another key principle for agility task design is coadaptation, and this can be operationalized through manipulation of opposing players. With these 2 key principles, we offer examples of agility tasks in 3 team invasion sports including soccer, rugby union, and Australian rules football.
Clericalism: What Is It and How Can We Treat It?
Authors: Burnham Martin J.
Published: June 2023

Pope Francis has frequently spoken about the scourge of clericalism and its damaging effects on life in the Church. Clerical priests are those priests who demonstrate the following characteristics: aloof, unaccountable, entitled, arrogant, and authoritarian. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops have openly recognized the intimate relationship of clericalism to the sexual abuse crisis in the Church. However, clericalism has yet to receive adequate qualitative social science research with clear directives on how the clinical community can serve the Church in treating clericalist priests. This article addresses the issue of clericalism both theologically and psychologically to provide direction for the clinical community to respond to clericalist priests and their need for healing.
MATR3‐antisense LINE1 RNA meshwork scaffolds higher‐order chromatin organization
Authors: Zhang Yuwen , Cao Xuan , Gao Zehua , Ma Xuying , Wang Qianfeng , Xu Xiaoxuan , Cai Xiumei , Zhang Yan , Zhang Zhao , Wei Gang , Wen Bo
Published: June 2023

Long interspersed nuclear elements (LINEs) play essential roles in shaping chromatin states, while the factors that cooperate with LINEs and their roles in higher‐order chromatin organization remain poorly understood. Here, we show that MATR3, a nuclear matrix protein, interplays with antisense LINE1 (AS L1) RNAs to form a meshwork via phase separation, providing a dynamic platform for chromatin spatial organization. MATR3 and AS L1 RNAs affect the nuclear localization of each other. After MATR3 depletion, the chromatin, particularly H3K27me3‐modified chromatin, redistributes in the cell nuclei. Topologically associating domains (TADs) that highly transcribe MATR3‐associated AS L1 RNAs show decreased intra‐TAD interactions in both AML12 and ES cells. MATR3 depletion increases the accessibility of H3K27me3 domains adjacent to MATR3‐associated AS L1, without affecting H3K27me3 modifications. Furthermore, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)‐associated MATR3 mutants alter biophysical features of the MATR3‐AS L1 RNA meshwork and cause an abnormal H3K27me3 staining. Collectively, we reveal a role of the meshwork formed by MATR3 and AS L1 RNAs in gathering chromatin in the nucleus.