bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficacy study comparing a CBT-I developed for shift workers (CBT-I-S) to standard CBT-I (cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia) on sleep onset latency, total sleep time, subjective sleep quality, and daytime sleepiness: study protocol for a parallel group randomised controlled trial with online therapy groups of seven sessions each
Authors: Grünberger Tanja , Höhn Christopher , Schabus Manuel , Laireiter Anton-Rupert
Published: August 2024

Background

Shift workers are at an increased risk of developing sleep disorders. The standard therapy recommended for sleep disorders is cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I). Many of its interventions are based on a regular sleep and wake rhythm, which is difficult to apply for shift workers. We have therefore developed a new therapy manual specifically for shift workers (CBT-I-S), which should be more applicable to their needs. In particular, all interventions that require regularity have been removed, and instead, interventions that address factors that proved to be relevant to sleep in our preliminary study have been integrated. We now want to test this manual for its effectiveness.

Methods

A randomised controlled trial with N = 142 will be conducted to compare two conditions: the newly developed therapy manual will be carried out in the experimental group, while cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia will be employed in the standard group. Both treatments will be conducted online via MS Teams in a group setting with seven sessions each. Data will be collected at three measurement points (pre, post, 6-month follow-up) and analysed using linear mixed models. The study will investigate whether the two treatments have led to significant improvements in total sleep time, sleep onset latency, subjective sleep quality and daytime sleepiness in shift workers. It will also examine whether the new therapy manual is superior to standard therapy in shift workers and whether these effects are stable.

Discussion

We assume that interventions designed to address depressive mood, anxiety, worry, rumination, dysfunctional thought patterns and attitudes towards sleep will also improve sleep. If this is indeed the case, these interventions could replace previous ones that require regularity. This could significantly improve the treatment of insomnia in shift workers.

Trial registration

German Clinical Trials Registry DRKS DRKS00032086. Registered on August 16, 2023.
Cost-effectiveness analysis of dupilumab among patients with uncontrolled severe asthma using LIBERTY ASTHMA QUEST Korean data
Authors: Oh Sung-Hee , Rhee Chin Kook , Bae Eun Jin , Ku Hyemin
Published: August 2024

Background

A sub-analysis of the Korean population in the LIBERTY ASTHMA QUEST trial (NCT02414854) revealed that dupilumab effectively treated severe uncontrolled asthma. This study aimed to assess the cost-effectiveness of add-on therapy with dupilumab to background therapy in patients ≥ 12 years of age with uncontrolled severe asthma compared to that of background therapy in South Korea.

Methods

The cost-effectiveness analysis was conducted using a Markov model over a lifetime from the Korean healthcare system perspective. Clinical efficacy and utility weights were obtained from post-hoc analyses of the Korean population in the QUEST trial. Data on the costs and treatment setting of exacerbation in a real-world setting were retrospectively collected using the administrative medical database from a single tertiary hospital.

Results

The base-case results indicated that add-on dupilumab therapy increases costs ($112,924 for add-on dupilumab versus $29,545 for background therapy alone). However, add-on dupilumab increased quality-adjusted life years (QALYs, 8.03 versus 3.93, respectively), with fewer events of severe exacerbations per patient compared to using the background therapy alone (17.920 versus 19.911, respectively). The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was $20,325 per QALY. Various sensitivity analyses supported the robustness of the base-case results. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis showed that the probability of add-on dupilumab being cost-effective was 87% at a threshold willingness-to-pay of $26,718 (KRW 35 million) per QALY gained.

Conclusions

Dupilumab is cost-effective for adolescents and adults with uncontrolled severe asthma in South Korea. Our study provides evidence to support clinicians and policymakers in making informed decisions for severe asthma management.
Policy brief Belgian EBCP Mirror Group patient and citizen engagement
Authors: Van Hoof Wannes , Schittecatte Gabrielle ,   the Thematic Working Group on Patient & Citizen Engagement
Published: August 2024

Rights, preferences, needs and expectations of patients and citizens can only be respected and addressed if they are well understood. As such, a continuous, systematic and formalised dialogue between patients, citizens and policy makers is required to ensure ethical and socially appropriate cancer prevention, diagnostics, treatment and care. Relying on donations and project-based funding is not a sustainable way to ensure patient involvement and representativeness in policy. Patient organizations need long term, structural support to fulfil their role as patient representatives and support network in order to deliver the best possible service and to play their role as a professional representative of their disease-specific community. Inequalities can only be tackled if they are properly identified. This requires the definition of appropriate determinants fit for (inter)national comparison and extension and linkage of good quality data registries for cancer that allow the monitoring these inequalities.
Biopsychosocial and Environmental Correlates of Children’s Motor Competence: An Exploratory Study
Authors: Algurén Beatrix , Tang Yiling , Pelletier Chelsea , Naylor Patti-Jean , Faulkner Guy
Published: August 2024

Background

Given the significance of motor competence (MC) for healthy development and as a cornerstone for lifelong physical activity (PA), it is crucial to understand the manifold factors that are associated with MC. Thus, the aim of the present study was to investigate correlates of children’s MC and their fundamental movement skills (FMS) within their daily life from a comprehensive biopsychosocial-ecological perspective.

Methods

This is a cross-sectional sub-study of the ‘Physical Literacy for Communities (PL4C)’ WAVES cohort study conducted in the West Vancouver School District, Canada. Motor competence was assessed using the PLAYfun tool including overall MC score and five FMS category scores, namely, running, locomotor skills, upper and lower body control and balance skills. By means of structural equation modeling (SEM), direct associationswith MC and with the specific FMS categories addressing physical activity behavior, self-perceived physical literacy, parenting, and school ground design were investigated.

Results

A total of 355 children with a mean age of 7.5 years and 111.1 min of MVPA per day participated. The group comprised 51% boys and 47% girls from 14 elementary schools. Most children were at an emerging MC-level (71%), while those at a competent MC-level exhibited significantly more daily minutes of MVPA (123 versus 109, p = 0.001). Additionally, they played outdoors more frequently and engaged in more instructor-led PA. The results revealed that logistical support from parents had not only a direct positive association with overall MC, both for girls and boys, but also with most of the FMS categories. However, the correlates of MC varied between genders and showed different patterns across the five FMS categories. While time spent in sports or coach-/instructor-led physical activities had a significant SEM generated direct effect only for boys’ MC and for locomotor, upper body object control and balance, the aesthetic design of the school grounds was only associated with girls’ MC and those same three FMS categories. Multivariate SEM could explain 26% of variance for girls’ MC and 30% for boys’.

Conclusions

This exploratory baseline assessment revealed parental logistical support as an important correlate of MC, irrespective of gender. There were distinct gender patterns across biopsychosocial-ecological correlates influencing MC and FMS. Despite the heterogeneity of the results, our findings indicate a potential role of school ground design in supporting the development of children’s MC, especially for girls.
Effects of machine learning errors on human decision-making: manipulations of model accuracy, error types, and error importance
Authors: Matzen Laura E. , Gastelum Zoe N. , Howell Breannan C. , Divis Kristin M. , Stites Mallory C.
Published: August 2024

This study addressed the cognitive impacts of providing correct and incorrect machine learning (ML) outputs in support of an object detection task. The study consisted of five experiments that manipulated the accuracy and importance of mock ML outputs. In each of the experiments, participants were given the T and L task with T-shaped targets and L-shaped distractors. They were tasked with categorizing each image as target present or target absent. In Experiment 1, they performed this task without the aid of ML outputs. In Experiments 2–5, they were shown images with bounding boxes, representing the output of an ML model. The outputs could be correct (hits and correct rejections), or they could be erroneous (false alarms and misses). Experiment 2 manipulated the overall accuracy of these mock ML outputs. Experiment 3 manipulated the proportion of different types of errors. Experiments 4 and 5 manipulated the importance of specific types of stimuli or model errors, as well as the framing of the task in terms of human or model performance. These experiments showed that model misses were consistently harder for participants to detect than model false alarms. In general, as the model’s performance increased, human performance increased as well, but in many cases the participants were more likely to overlook model errors when the model had high accuracy overall. Warning participants to be on the lookout for specific types of model errors had very little impact on their performance. Overall, our results emphasize the importance of considering human cognition when determining what level of model performance and types of model errors are acceptable for a given task.
The contributions of historical geography research in the twentieth century to the concept of “Chinese nation”
Authors: Shi Shuo
Published: August 2024

The Chinese nation has evolved through history and is inextricably linked with geographical factors. Since the inception of the concept of “Chinese nation” in the twentieth century, Chinese scholars have made significant contributions to understanding this concept from a historical geography perspective. This paper undertakes an examination and discussion of these contributions, highlighting three main aspects in which Chinese scholars in the twentieth century have significantly enhanced the concept of “Chinese nation” from a historical geography perspective: firstly, escaping the trap of “China Proper” and comprehensively understanding the Chinese nation from a geographical perspective; secondly, breaking the spatial barrier set up by the Great Wall, endowing the Chinese nation with a complete geographical space; thirdly, The Historical Atlas of China clarifying the connection between historical China and modern China, providing a comprehensive geographical basis for understanding the formation and development of the Chinese nation. The paper, contextualized within the historical backdrop, provides an analysis and discourse on these three aspects, indicating that the contributions of scholars in the twentieth century were instrumental in refining the concept of the Chinese nation from a historical geography perspective, illustrating the inseparable connection between nation and geography. Only through the organic integration of history, nation, and geography can we fully grasp the historical trajectory and geographical foundation of the Chinese nation.
A review of Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) for characterizing Long COVID (LC)—merits, gaps, and recommendations
Authors: Ejalonibu Hammed , Amah Adelaide , Aburub Alaa , Kumar Pawan , Frederick D. E. , Groot Gary
Published: August 2024

Background

Individuals may experience a range of symptoms after the clearance of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. This condition is termed long COVID (LC) or Post-COVID-19 condition (PCC). Despite the appreciable number of symptoms documented to date, one key challenge remains in the robust characterization of LC outcomes. This review aimed to assess the properties, identify gaps, and provide recommendations for relevant descriptive and evaluative Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement (PROM) instruments that can be used to comprehensively characterize LC.

Methods

To achieve this objective, we identified and reviewed descriptive and evaluative PROM instruments that have been developed and validated to date with people living with LC. Our review assessed their properties, identified gaps, and recommended PROMs suitable for characterizing LC. To ensure a comprehensive and robust characterization of LC, we next identified, reviewed, and selected (with the input of patient partners) PROMs associated with the most frequently reported LC symptoms. The evaluation criteria included psychometric evidence, mode of delivery, cost, and administration time.

Results

Traditional matrix mapping revealed Post-COVID Functional Status Scale (PCFS) as a choice instrument for capturing LC outcomes largely because of the comprehensive domains it covered, and the number of psychometric evidence reported in literatures. This instrument can be effectively paired with the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), Headache Impact Test (HIT), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and DePaul Symptom Questionnaire (DSQ-PEM) to characterize fatigue, cognitive impairment, depression/anxiety, headache, sleeplessness, and post-exertional malaise respectively.

Conclusion

Our paper identified appropriate PROM instruments that can effectively capture the diverse impacts of LC. By utilizing these validated instruments, we can better understand and manage LC.
EvilPromptFuzzer: generating inappropriate content based on text-to-image models
Authors: He Juntao , Dai Haoran , Sui Runqi , Yuan Xuejing , Liu Dun , Feng Hao , Liu Xinyue , Yang Wenchuan , Cui Baojiang , Li Kedan
Published: August 2024

Text-to-image (TTI) models provide huge innovation ability for many industries, while the content security triggered by them has also attracted wide attention. Considerable research has focused on content security threats of large language models (LLMs), yet comprehensive studies on the content security of TTI models are notably scarce. This paper introduces a systematic tool, named EvilPromptFuzzer, designed to fuzz evil prompts in TTI models. For 15 kinds of fine-grained risks, EvilPromptFuzzer employs the strong knowledge-mining ability of LLMs to construct seed banks, in which the seeds cover various types of characters, interrelations, actions, objects, expressions, body parts, locations, surroundings, etc. Subsequently, these seeds are fed into the LLMs to build scene-diverse prompts, which can weaken the semantic sensitivity related to the fine-grained risks. Hence, the prompts can bypass the content audit mechanism of the TTI model, and ultimately help to generate images with inappropriate content. For the risks of violence, horrible, disgusting, animal cruelty, religious bias, political symbol, and extremism, the efficiency of EvilPromptFuzzer for generating inappropriate images based on DALL.E 3 are greater than 30%, namely, more than 30 generated images are malicious among 100 prompts. Specifically, the efficiency of horrible, disgusting, political symbols, and extremism up to 58%, 64%, 71%, and 50%, respectively. Additionally, we analyzed the vulnerability of existing popular content audit platforms, including Amazon, Google, Azure, and Baidu. Even the most effective Google SafeSearch cloud platform identifies only 33.85% of malicious images across three distinct categories.
Leiomyosarcoma of vascular origin: lessons learned from misdiagnosis
Authors: Ayyad Mohamed Salah , Elbellasy Mahmoud Fawzy , Hassan Amany , Gad Mona
Published: August 2024

Background

Leiomyosarcoma (LMS) of vascular origin is a rare entity of soft tissue sarcomas. Although they arise mostly from retroperitoneal major vascular structures, some encountered cases may arise from the smaller vascular structures of the thigh as the femoral vein. Due to their origin from the vascular structures, they represent a diagnostic challenge as they may be misdiagnosed as deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

Case presentation

We present a case of a 45-year-old woman with left femoral and iliac vein LMS that was previously described in the vascular ultrasound (US) report as extensive DVT involving the femoral and external iliac veins. The patient did not improve after receiving the prescribed anticoagulants. Seven months later, the patient underwent computerized tomography (CT) with contrast, revealing a soft tissue mass in the anatomical site of the left common femoral and external iliac veins. The patient underwent both US-guided tru-cut biopsy and incisional biopsy from the iliac lymph nodes which revealed leiomyosarcoma.

Materials and methods

The patient underwent both vascular ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging of the pelvis and the left thigh at the time of the first presentation. Seven months later, she underwent contrast-enhanced CT of the abdomen and pelvis.

Outcome

The patient was referred to the oncology department to receive the appropriate chemotherapy protocol as the tumor was inoperable.

Conclusions

Although leiomyosarcoma of vascular origin is a rare entity of neoplasms, it is usually underestimated. A high index of suspicion would help the clinician to suspect such a neoplasm and save time for early diagnosis and management. Special caution should be taken for patients with venous thrombosis not improving on anticoagulants. When there is suspicion, other modalities such as computerized tomography and magnetic resonance imaging help confirm the diagnosis.
Comparison of directly and indirectly estimated entrance skin dose (ESD) for diagnostic radiation qualities (RQR, RQA and RQT) using water phantom and shadowfree diagnostic chamber (SFD)
Authors: Haider Umar Hussain , Hussain Babar , Shaheen Wajeeha , Rehman Shakeel Ur
Published: August 2024

Background

The aim of this study was to find the entrance skin dose (ESD) for diagnostic radiation qualities RQRs, RQAs and RQTs given in IAEA technical report series No. 457 using direct and indirect methods of measurement. Measurements were done for 5 × 5, 10 × 10, 15 × 15, 20 × 20 and 25 × 25 cm2 field sizes and 70, 80, 90 and 100 cm source to surface distance (SSD) using shadow-free diagnostic (SFD) chamber and water phantom having dimension 30 × 30 × 30 cm3. ESD direct measurements were done by placing SFD chamber on the surface of water phantom, while in the case of indirect measurements, air kerma values were obtained.

Results

ESD values for different selected radiation qualities RQR2, RQR5, RQR8, RQR10, RQA2, RQA5, RQA8, RQA10, RQT8, RQT9 and RQT10 were found to be in the range of 0.0045–5.11 mGy per examination.

Conclusions

Results obtained were found to be comparable with ESD values published in the literature. The obtained results in this research would help in establishing the national diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) which would help in the optimization of diagnostic imaging procedures. It would also help the radiographers to optimize field sizes and SSDs in order to reduce dose to the patients thereby ensuring good radiological practices, and this would reduce the stochastic risk to the patients caused by the ionizing radiations.
BRAF-induced EHF Expression Affects TERT in Aggressive Papillary Thyroid Cancer
Authors: Xu Yiyi , Gao Jiwei , Wang Na , Zedenius Jan , Nilsson Inga-Lena , Lui Weng-Onn , Xu Dawei , Juhlin C Christofer , Larsson Catharina , Mu Ninni
Published: August 2024

Context

BRAFV600E and TERT promoter mutations in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) have a synergistic effect on prognosis. This effect is believed to arise from MAPK activation triggered by BRAFV600E, leading to the upregulation of ETS transcription factors that bind to the mutant TERT promoter.

Objectives

To explore the role of ETS factors in relation to clinical features, BRAFV600E, and TERT promoter mutations in PTC.

Design

Transcriptomic data for 28 ETS factors were analyzed in the PTC cohort of The Cancer Genome Atlas (n = 399) and subsequently validated in a local cohort (n = 93). In vitro experiments were performed to investigate the regulatory role in relation to BRAFV600E and TERT expression.

Results

The Cancer Genome Atlas identified ETS1, ERG, FLI1, GABPA, EHF, ETV6, and SPDEF as differentially expressed genes between stages I + II and III + IV. In both cohorts, EHF was consistently associated with adverse clinical features, BRAFV600E and TERT promoter mutation/expression. Notably, in BRAFV600E mutated PTC, high EHF expression was associated with shorter disease-free survival. Cases harboring concurrent BRAFV600E, TERT promoter mutations, and high EHF expression exhibited the shortest disease-free survival. In cells harboring concurrent BRAFV600E and TERT promoter mutation, overexpression of EHF significantly increased TERT expression, whereas knockdown or pharmacological inhibition of BRAF significantly decreased both EHF and TERT expression. In addition, chromatin immunoprecipitation and quantitative PCR analysis suggested a potential binding of EHF in TERT promoter mutant cells but not in TERT promoter wild-type cells.

Conclusion

The ETS transcription factor EHF is associated with poor prognosis in PTC. This is potentially mediated by BRAF-induced upregulation of EHF, which in turn increases TERT expression in TERT promoter mutated cells.
After Palmares
Authors: Hertzman Marc A
Published: August 2024

In After Palmares, Marc A. Hertzman tells the rise, fall, and afterlives of Palmares, one of history’s largest and longest-lasting maroon societies. Forged during the seventeenth century by formerly enslaved Africans in what would become northeast Brazil, Palmares stood for a century, withstanding sustained attacks from two European powers. In 1695, colonial forces assassinated its most famous leader, Zumbi. Hertzman examines the remarkable ways that Palmares and its inhabitants lived on after Zumbi’s death, creating vivid portraits of those whose lives and voices scholars have often assumed are inaccessible. With an innovative approach to African languages, and paying close attention to place as well as African and diasporic spiritual beliefs, Hertzman reshapes our understanding of Palmares and Zumbi and advances a new framework for studying fugitive slave communities and marronage in the African diaspora.
Correlation of Morphological Appearance of Peritoneal Lesions at Laparotomy and Disease at Pathological Assessment in Patients Undergoing Cytoreductive Surgery for Peritoneal Malignancy: Results of Phase I of the PRECINCT Study in 707 Patients
Authors: Bhatt Aditi , Villeneuve Laurent , Sardi Armando , Souadka Amine , Buseck Alison , Moran Brendan J. , Khannousi Basma El , de Pedro Carlos Gonzalez , Baratti Dario , Biacchi Danielle , Morris David , Labow Daniel , Levine Edward A. , Mohamed Faheez , Adeleke Gbadebo , Goswami Gaurav , Bonnefoy Isabelle , Perry Katherine Cummins , Votanopoulos Konstantinos I. , Parikh Loma , Deraco Marcello , Alyami Mohammad , Cohen Noah , Benzerdjeb Nazim , Shah Nehal , Bahaoui Nezha El , Khajoueinejad Nazanin , Rousset Pascal , Shen Perry , Barat Shoma , Stanford Sophia , Khouchoua Selma , Troob Samantha , Shaikh Sakina , Sarpel Umut , Gushchin Vadim , Samuel Vasanth Mark , Kepenekian Vahan , Sammartino Paolo , Glehen Olivier
Published: August 2024

Background

The PRECINCT (Pattern of peritoneal dissemination and REsponse to systemic Chemotherapy IN Common and uncommon peritoneal Tumors) is a prospective, multicenter, observational study. This report from phase I of PRECINCT outlines variations in recording the surgical peritoneal cancer index (sPCI) at experienced peritoneal malignancy centers and the incidence of pathologically confirmed disease in morphologically different peritoneal lesions (PL).

Methods

The sPCI was recorded in a prespecified format that included the morphological appearance of PL. Six prespecified morphological terms were provided. The surgical and pathological findings were compared.

Results

From September 2020 to December 2021, 707 patients were enrolled at 10 centers. The morphological details are routinely recorded at two centers, structure bearing the largest nodule, and exact size of the largest tumor deposit in each region at four centers each. The most common morphological terms used were normal peritoneum in 3091 (45.3%), tumor nodules in 2607 (38.2%) and confluent disease in 786 (11.5%) regions. The incidence of pathologically confirmed disease was significantly higher in ‘tumor nodules’ with a lesion score of 2/3 compared with a lesion score of 1 (63.1% vs. 31.5%; p < 0.001). In patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy, the incidence of pathologically confirmed disease did not differ significantly from those undergoing upfront surgery [751 (47.7%) and 532 (51.4%) respectively; p = 0.069].

Conclusions

The sPCI was recorded with heterogeneity at different centers. The incidence of pathologically confirmed disease was 49.2% in ‘tumor nodules’. Frozen section could be used more liberally for these lesions to aid clinical decisions. A large-scale study involving pictorial depiction of different morphological appearances and correlation with pathological findings is indicated.
Automatic Poetic Metre Detection for Czech Verse
Authors: Klesnilová Kristýna , Klouda Karel , Friedjungová Magda , Plecháč Petr
Published: August 2024

Metrical analysis of verse is an essential and challenging task in the research on versification consisting of analysing a poem and deciding which metre it is written in. Thanks to existing corpora, we can take advantage of data-driven approaches, which can be better suited to the specific versification problems at hand than rulebased systems.
This work analyses the Czech accentual-syllabic verse and automatic metre assignment using the vast and annotated Corpus of Czech Verse. We define the problem as a sequence tagging task and approach it using a machine learning model and many different input data configurations. In comparison to this approach, we reimplement the existing data-driven system KVĚTA.
Our results demonstrate that the bidirectional LSTM-CRF sequence tagging model, enhanced with syllable embeddings, significantly outperforms the existing KVĚTA system, with predictions achieving 99.61% syllable accuracy, 98.86% line accuracy, and 90.40% poem accuracy. The model also achieved competitive results with token embeddings. One of the most interesting findings is that the best results are obtained by inputting sequences representing whole poems instead of individual poem lines.
Poetic License, Textual Fidelity and the Liturgical Impulse in Aleksandr Sumarokov’s Early Spiritual Verse
Authors: Vroon Ronald
Published: August 2024

The present essay considers the paraphrases of Psalms and other biblical and liturgical texts that Sumarokov composed between 1744 and 1769. He initially treated his paraphrases primarily as literary exercises: while taking care not to distort the Church Slavic and ipso facto Greek (Septuagint) source texts, he had no qualms about both expanding and abridging the original texts within the confines of traditional metrical and stanzaic structures. Subsequently in the 1760s, he began to experiment with variable iambic and trochaic lines in spiritual verse, though such forms are typically associated with less lofty genres such as fables and epigrams. His experiments in turn allowed him to achieve greater fidelity to the Church Slavic texts targeted for paraphrasis, and to bring his texts stylistically closer to the liturgical norms associated with the Church Slavic originals. At the same time, he strove to improve the fidelity of his own paraphrases of the Psalms by consulting German translations of the Hebrew (Masoretic) originals. Thus, Sumarokov paradoxically brings to his new translations of the 1660s the philological Protestant sensibility of German translations of the Psalter, and an Orthodox sensibility that favors the traditional Church Slavic register associated with the Psalter as a liturgical text. These new translations in free and frequently unrhymed iambs set the stage for the final, more radical experiments undertaken in 1773–1774.
The Concepts of “Verse”, “Meter” and “Rhythm” in Russian Verse Theory
Authors: Pilshchikov Igor
Published: August 2024

This article examines definitions of verse and descriptions of the relationships between meter and rhythm as proposed by scholars of Russian poetry. Building on their observations, the author devises a constructive definition of “meter” as a system of permissions and prohibitions governing the distribution of word stresses and word boundaries in a verse line. Additionally, the article proposes constructive definitions for the versification systems employed in Russian poetry.
Geospatial and common methods for the assessment of land suitability for wheat production in Iran
Authors: Kohani Maria , Matinfar Hamid Reza , Rostaminia Mahmood , Shobairi Seyed Omid Reza , Lingxiao Sun , Haiyan Zhang , Chunlan Li , Jing He , Asghari Beirami Behnam , Ayombekov Qirghizbek
Published: August 2024

Wheat is considered the most important crop in Iran; however, not all of the land in Iran is equally suitable for growing wheat. This study aimed to apply a spatial model for land suitability assessment integrated with geographic information system (GIS) techniques for the wheat crop. Climate and Soil parameters were recognized as factors affecting land suitability for wheat crop in the study area. Three indices were used in assessing land suitability, soil fertility, chemical and physical quality indices. The results of the proposed model (LSI) were compared with the square root and Storie methods. The results showed that most of the units fall within the Moderate suitable class (S2) and the Marginally suitable class (S3) which together represent 88.66% of the total area. About 7.08% of the study area was High suitable and About 2.37% of the study area was unsuitable for wheat crops and those areas correspond to the adverse physical and chemical properties of the soil. The comparison of the results of the three approaches used showed that the present model has a Moderate level of agreement with the square root method (0.516) and showed that the present model has a low level of agreement with the Storie method (0.243). Comparing the results showed that the story model has a high agreement with the square root method (0.884). In the current model, the use of different indicators allows for obtaining results that seem to be more consistent with the current conditions of the region.
Multi-component wastewater from finely dispersed impurities treatment intensification
Authors: Bosiuk Alona , Shkop Andrii , Kulinich Sergii , Samoilenko Dmytro , Shestopalov Oleksii , Tykhomyrova Tetiana
Published: August 2024

The article deals with the intensification of flocculation wastewater treatment from finely dispersed suspended dust particles that are formed in the foundry shop at machine-building productions. The dependence of the floc sedimentation rate and wastewater clarification on solid phase concentration and flocculant flow rate was experimentally researched using model wastewater created by mixing dust and water. The multicomponent impurities of ionic flocculants on the aggregation process impact were experimentally proven, and anionic and cationic flocculants combination high efficiency was shown. The optimal parameters for the wastewater treatment process were established. The best flocculating effect and minimum flocculant consumption were observed at a solid phase concentration of 8-14 g/l. It was established that the most effective aggregate formation process is observed when two flocculants’ types are used simultaneously: anionic A-19 and cationic K-7, not each type separately. Flocculant flow rate experimental and calculated dependences for the wastewater treatment process depending on solid phase concentration and floc sedimentation speed necessary for effective sedimentation have been established. A technological scheme for wastewater treatment from suspended dust impurities that are formed in foundry shop at machine-building enterprise has been developed. The scheme includes: wastewater flocculation; water clarification in a sedimentation tank; and water deironing by aeration with coagulant addition and further filtration. It is proposed to use purified water in enterprise technological cycle that helps to reduce tap water consumption.
El despido en situación de incapacidad temporal ¿Indicio suficiente de discriminación por razón de enfermedad?.
Authors: Aguilera Izquierdo Raquel
Published: August 2024

: La inclusión de la enfermedad como causa de discriminación en la Ley 15/2022, de 12 de julio, integral para la igualdad de trato y la no discriminación, ha reabierto el debate sobre la calificación del despido en los supuestos de incapacidad temporal. Se trata de determinar, por un lado, si la enfermedad, sin ningún tipo de calificativo, puede considerarse como causa de discriminación, es decir, si nos encontramos realmente ante una diferenciación que ha colocado históricamente a un sector de la población en una situación contraria a la dignidad de la persona. Y, por otro lado, se plantea la duda de si, al no encontrarnos ante un supuesto de nulidad objetiva, el despido en situación de incapacidad temporal constituye indicio suficiente de discriminación.
Situaciones legales de desempleo por extinción o suspensión del contrato: propuestas de actualización.
Authors: Molina Navarrete Cristobal
Published: August 2024

Las empresas vuelven a activar numerosos e intensos procesos de reestructuración con un importante impacto en la regulación de empleo. Consecuentemente, se trate de una modalidad de ERTE sea una modalidad de despido, la protección por desempleo vuelve a estar en el centro del debate. Las opciones de gestión empresarial tendrán efectos bien diferentes en orden al régimen de protección por desempleo. En consecuencia, es útil una exposición analítica y crítica de las novedades legales, también jurisprudenciales, en la materia y de sus usos en la práctica. Pero el mercado de trabajo y la gestión empresarial basada en técnicas de flexiguridad ofrecen otros aspectos de novedad que impactan en la protección por desempleo. Se da cuenta de todo ello en este análisis. Con todo, en el estudio se pone de manifiesto la necesidad de afrontar una reforma más global del nivel contributivo de protección por desempleo, una vez que se comprueba sus lagunas de protección y disfuncionalidades. Justamente, el RDL 2/2024 de 21 de mayo parece avistar una reforma global del sistema de desempleo, así como de las políticas activas de empleo.
Code and Data Repository for Satisficing Approach to On-Demand Ride Matching
Authors: Rong Dongling , Sun Xinyu , Zhang Meilin , He Shuangchi
Published: August 2024

Online ride-hailing platforms have developed into an integral part of the transportation infrastructure in many countries. The primary task of a ride-hailing platform is to match trip requests to drivers in real time. Although both passengers and drivers prefer a prompt pickup to initiate their trips, it is often difficult to find a nearby driver for every passenger. If the driver is far from the pickup point, the passenger may cancel the trip while the driver is heading toward the pickup point. In order for the platform to be profitable, the trip cancellation rate must be maintained at a low level. We propose a data-driven, computationally efficient approach to ride matching, in which a pickup time target is imposed on each trip request and an optimization problem is formulated to maximize the joint probability of all the pickup times meeting the targets. By adjusting pickup time targets individually, this approach may assign more high-value trip requests to nearby drivers, thus boosting the platform’s revenue while maintaining a low cancellation rate. In numerical experiments, the proposed approach outperforms several ride-matching policies used in practice.
Care and circularity: how the enactment of care enables and shapes the circular consumption of clothing
Authors: Tölg Réka , Fuentes Christian
Published: August 2024

In a circular system, consumers need to acquire, use, look after and part with products in ways that recirculate or reuse materials and minimise waste. Thus, although seldom made explicit, consumer care is built into the circular economy project. In this article, we aim to contribute to the emerging body of sociological work on circular consumption by foregrounding the role of care in the performance of circular clothing practices. Theoretically, we combine previous care literature with theories of practice. The analysis builds on an ethnographically inspired study of 24 households’ circular clothing consumption. Our findings suggest that accomplishing circularity in everyday clothing consumption involves developing care awareness and taking on responsibility for the care of clothes as a way of caring for distant others. We also show that multiple care struggles and care dilemmas complicate the accomplishment of care in this context. The article ends by outlining the possible contributions of developing an awareness and understanding of how care and circular consumption are intertwined.
Integrated device for polarization-independent electro-optic modulation using a splitter-rotator structure
Authors: Pan Wanle , Chen Heming , Hu Yuchen
Published: August 2024

An integrated device for polarization-independent electro-optic (EO) modulation based on photonic crystal is proposed. It primarily consists of three components: a polarization splitter-rotator (PSR), a combiner, and a graphene EO modulator. In the PSR, the TE0 modes and TM0 modes achieve polarization splitting and mode conversion. Subsequently, the two TE0 modes pass through the combiner to merge into a single beam. Finally, the TE0 modes enter the modulator for EO modulation. The performance parameters of the integrated device are computed and analyzed using the three-dimensional finite-difference time-domain method. The results reveal that the integrated device achieves a polarization extinction ratio of 23 dB, an insertion loss of 0.3 dB, and an extinction ratio of 21.1 dB. The modulator has a driving voltage of 3.56 V and a modulation speed of 33 GHz. The integrated device is well-suited for application in large-capacity optical communication systems.
Double-coupled slotted photonic crystal slab cavities through a high-frequency mechanical oscillator
Authors: Tian Feng , Notomi Masaya
Published: August 2024

Scalability is a critical research direction at the current stage of optomechanics for on-chip-integrated telecommunications and fundamental research, such as topological physics. Achieving scalability requires the coupling of multiple cavities via mechanical oscillators or the coupling of multiple oscillators via optical cavities. The optomechanical system proposed in this paper consists of two slotted silicon photonic crystal (PhC) slab cavities, where the optical barrier between the two cavities acts as a silicon mechanical oscillator, facilitating their coupling. This is the first two-dimensional (slab) PhC configuration featuring distant cavities coupled via a high-frequency (up to gigahertz) mechanical oscillator. This system offers two advantages over previous localized multimode optomechanical cavities. First, it allows for the independent design of the two cavities at desired resonance wavelengths. Second, the optical signals from the two cavities are coupled to different optical channels, simplifying post-processing tasks such as filtering or demultiplexing in photonic integrated circuits. Moreover, the slab optomechanical configuration could serve as a potential silicon alternative to compound-semiconductor slab optical switches and memories. Our numerical investigation shows that both cavities can be designed with ultrahigh quality factors and that the swing and breathing mechanical resonance modes exhibit the strongest optomechanical coupling strength. Notably, as far as we know, this is the first demonstration of an optomechanical breathing mode in 2D PhC structures, with a frequency reaching up to one gigahertz. Finally, we discuss two potential applications for this system: a pseudo-all-optical switch/modulator and resolved sideband operation. These analyses demonstrate that the proposed system holds significant promise for meeting the stringent requirements of various applications in photonic integrated circuits and photonic quantum technologies.
Balance confidence classification in people with a lower limb amputation using six minute walk test smartphone sensor signals
Authors: Juneau Pascale , Baddour Natalie , Burger Helena , Lemaire Edward D.
Published: August 2024

The activities-specific balance confidence scale (ABC) assesses balance confidence during common activities. While low balance confidence can result in activity avoidance, excess confidence can increase fall risk. People with lower limb amputations can present with inconsistent gait, adversely affecting their balance confidence. Previous research demonstrated that clinical outcomes in this population (e.g., stride parameters, fall risk) can be determined from smartphone signals collected during walk tests, but this has not been evaluated for balance confidence. Fifty-eight (58) individuals with lower limb amputation completed a six-minute walk test (6MWT) while a smartphone at the posterior pelvis was used for signal collection. Participant ABC scores were categorized as low confidence or high confidence. A random forest classified ABC groups using features from each step, calculated from smartphone signals. The random forest correctly classified the confidence level of 47 of 58 participants (accuracy 81.0%, sensitivity 63.2%, specificity 89.7%). This research demonstrated that smartphone signal data can classify people with lower limb amputations into balance confidence groups after completing a 6MWT. Integration of this model into the TOHRC Walk Test app would provide balance confidence classification, in addition to previously demonstrated clinical outcomes, after completing a single assessment and could inform individualized rehabilitation programs to improve confidence and prevent activity avoidance.
Population genetic structure and historical demography of the population of forest elephants in Côte d’Ivoire
Authors: Kouakou Jean-Louis , Gonedelé-Bi Sery
Published: August 2024

The population of forest elephant (Loxodonta cyclotis) has continuously declined in Côte d’Ivoire and, the remaining population largely consists of subpopulations that are fragmented and isolated. No data actually exist on the level of genetic diversity and population genetic structure of current forest elephant populations in Côte d’Ivoire. In this sense, determining genetic diversity and the underlying mechanisms of population differentiation is crucial for the initiation of effective conservation management. A total of 158 dung samples of forest elephants were collected at stage 1 of decompositions (dung pile intact, very fresh) in three Classified Forests (CF) (Bossématié, Dassioko and Port-Gauthier) in Côte d’Ivoire. A total of 101 sequences of the mitochondrial DNA control region measuring 600 base pair and 26 haplotypes were obtained. A haplotypic diversity ranging from 0.655 ± 0.050 at Bossématié and 0.859 ± 0.088 at Port Gauthier was obtained. Fifteen (15) out of 26 haplotypes observed were singletons and only the Dassioko and Port Gauthier CFs shared the same haplotypes. The strong genetic connectivity between forest elephant populations of the Dassioko and Port Gauthier CFs is supported by the grouping of these populations into a single cluster by Bayesian analysis. Although populations of L. cyclotis exhibit relatively high genetic diversity, habitat fragmentation could affect the genetic variability of current populations. Urgent measures including the reinforcement/establishment of genetic corridors and the strengthening of protection measures need to be undertaken to save the remaining populations of forest elephants in Côte d’Ivoire.
Modeling the interaction of vegetation and sea level rise on barrier island evolution
Authors: Robson Gregory , Schoen Eric , Chan David M. , Ogrosky H. Reed , Shrestha Kiran , Zinnert Julie C.
Published: August 2024

Barrier islands provide a first line of defense against ocean flooding and storm surge. Biogeomorphic interactions are recognized as important in coastal system processes, but current barrier island models are primarily dominated by physical processes. Recent research has demonstrated different biogeomorphic states that influence response to sea level rise and other disturbance. Building on this understanding, we present a cellular model utilizing biotic and abiotic processes and their interactions for barrier island evolution. Using the literature and field derived parameters, we model barrier island evolution and compare to three decades of change for Smith Island, a Virginia Coast Reserve barrier island. We conduct simulations that show the impact of biogeomorphic states on island migration under different sea level rise scenarios. We find that migration is highest in areas with low topography and light vegetation cover (i.e. disturbance reinforcing) compared to areas with greater topographic complexity and high cover of woody vegetation i.e. disturbance resisting). This study demonstrates the importance of biogeomorphic interactions for barrier island evolution with sea level rise and will aid future predictions for these important ecosystems with climate change.
Psychometric characteristics of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale in stroke survivors of working age before and after inpatient rehabilitation
Authors: Karlsson Jan , Hammarström Erik , Fogelkvist Maria , Lundqvist Lars-Olov
Published: August 2024

Objective

The aim was to examine the psychometric properties of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) in cohorts of working age stroke survivors, before and after inpatient rehabilitation.

Methods

Stroke patients aged 18–66 years registered in the national quality register WebRehab Sweden were included in the study at hospital admission (n = 256), discharge (n = 223), and 1-year follow-up (n = 313). Classical and modern (Rasch) methods were used for psychometric evaluation.

Results

The two-factor HADS model measuring anxiety and depression showed better fit than a single factor measuring emotional distress. The instrument’s psychometric stability before and after rehabilitation was satisfactory. The anxiety scale showed good psychometric properties, except for item 7, which is not anxiety-specific. Some concerns were observed for the depression items showing weaker discriminant validity, and item 8 performing poorly as a measure of depression. Cronbach’s alpha and McDonald’s omega coefficients showed satisfactory internal consistency reliability, whereas Rasch person reliability coefficients indicated weaker reliability, especially for the depression scale. Effect size of change between hospital admission and discharge showed a reduction in anxiety and depression symptoms.

Conclusions

HADS showed a stable two-factor structure over the rehabilitation period. Patients’ perception of items was not affected by the recovery, allowing relevant comparison of HADS scores between different phases of the rehabilitation process. Measures of responsiveness suggest that HADS is sensitive to capturing improvements in emotional distress following rehabilitation interventions. Overall, despite minor psychometric weaknesses, HADS is a suitable instrument for assessing anxiety and depresssion symptoms in stroke patients aged 18–66 years.