bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rebellious Women: Aphra Behn's Widow Ranter and Geoffrey Chaucer's Wife of Bath
Authors: Warren Nancy Bradley
Published: May 2024

Abstract: Aphra Behn's The Widow Ranter, or the History of Bacon in Virginia is her last play, first performed posthumously in 1689. The play is a highly fictionalized account of Bacon's Rebellion of 1676. It is not only one of the first 'travel plays' by a woman but also the first by a playwright known to have spent time in colonial America. I argue that Behn's character the widow Ranter is a 'reincarnation' of Chaucer's Wife of Bath in the New world. Behn's play translates the wife, who has a history of association with religious and social rebellion, to colonial Virginia to negotiate both gender and class dynamics in the construction of potentially rebellious colonial identities vis-à-vis England.
Legible Characters: Forgery, Authenticity, and the Making of the Canon
Authors: Reinbold Lotte
Published: May 2024

Abstract: This chapter explores a little-known pastiche of chaucerian verse by Alexander Pope, 'Women ben ful of Ragerie', which was declared when it was first printed to be 'A Tale of chaucer lately found in an old Manuscript'. It considers the place of medieval literature amidst the Battle of the Books, the bitter argument about antiquity and authenticity, as well as the anxieties about imitation and authenticity which pervaded the editing of chaucer in the eighteenth century. It argues that considering spurious or false works such as Pope's unacknowledged imitation provides us with new ways of understanding how Chaucer was read, established, and understood in the eighteenth century and beyond — not merely as adulterated works to be excised from chaucer's name, but as evidence of rich, sustained, and playful engagement with chaucer's writing.
Five orders cascaded Raman fiber laser oscillation from 1550nm to mid-ir at 2334nm wavelength
Authors: Fischer Baruch , levit boris , Bekker Alexander
Published: May 2024

We demonstrate a cascaded Raman fiber laser (RFL) oscillation up to the 5-th order Stokes wave, from ~1550nm to mid-ir at 2334 nm, with silica fibers. The pumping was done with an amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) light of erbium-doped fiber (edf) in the 1550 nm wavelength regime. The low orders (1st to 3rd) could be easily obtained in continuous wave (CW) mode, while the 4th and 5th orders were obtained in a pulse mode. We used highly nonlinear fibers that allowed relatively short fiber cavity lengths of (10-100) m.
The influence of demographic and socio-economic factors on non-vaccination, under-vaccination and missed opportunities for vaccination amongst children 0–23 months in Kenya for the period 2003–2014
Authors: Odero Christopher Ochieng’ , Othero Doreen , Were Vincent Omondi , Ouma Collins
Published: May 2024

Vaccination is crucial in reducing child mortality and the prevalence of Vaccine-Preventable-Diseases (VPD), especially in low-and-middle-income countries like Kenya. However, non-vaccination, under-vaccination, and missed opportunities for vaccination (MOV) pose significant challenges to these efforts. This study aimed to analyze the impact of demographic and socio-economic factors on non-vaccination, under-vaccination, and MOV among children aged 0–23 months in Kenya from 2003 to 2014. A secondary data analysis of data from the Kenya Demographic Health Surveys (KDHS) conducted during this period was conducted, with a total of 11,997 participants, using a two-stage, multi-stage, and stratified sampling technique. The study examined factors such as child’s sex, residence, mother’s age, marital status, religion, birth order, maternal education, wealth quintile, province, child’s birth order, parity, number of children in the household, place of delivery, and mother’s occupation. Binary logistic regression was employed to identify the determinants of non-vaccination, under-vaccination, and MOV, and multivariable logistic regression analysis to report odds ratios (OR) and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI). In 2003, the likelihood of non-vaccination decreased with higher maternal education levels: mothers who did not complete primary education (AOR = 0.55, 95% CI = 0.37–0.81), completed primary education (AOR = 0.34, 95% CI = 0.21–0.56), and had secondary education or higher (AOR = 0.26, 95% CI = 0.14–0.50) exhibited decreasing probabilities. In 2008/09, divorced/separated/widowed mothers (AOR = 0.22, 95% CI = 0.07–0.65) and those with no religion (AOR = 0.37, 95% CI = 0.17–0.81) showed lower odds of non-vaccination, while lower wealth quintiles were associated with higher odds. In 2014, non-vaccination was higher among younger mothers aged 15–19 years (AOR = 12.53, 95% CI = 1.59–98.73), in North Eastern Province (AOR = 7.15, 95% CI = 2.02–25.30), in families with more than 5 children (AOR = 4.19, 95% CI = 1.09–16.18), and in children born at home (AOR = 4.47, 95% CI = 1.32–15.17). Similar patterns were observed for under-vaccination and MOV. This information can inform strategies for bridging the gaps in immunization coverage and promoting equitable vaccination practices in Kenya.
SARS-CoV-2 infection is associated with an increase in new diagnoses of schizophrenia spectrum and psychotic disorder: A study using the US national COVID cohort collaborative (N3C)
Authors: Rahman Asif , Russell Michael , Zheng Wanhong , Eckrich Daniel , Ahmed Imtiaz ,   On behalf of the N3C Consortium
Published: May 2024

Amid the ongoing global repercussions of SARS-CoV-2, it is crucial to comprehend its potential long-term psychiatric effects. Several recent studies have suggested a link between COVID-19 and subsequent mental health disorders. Our investigation joins this exploration, concentrating on Schizophrenia Spectrum and Psychotic Disorders (SSPD). Different from other studies, we took acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and COVID-19 lab-negative cohorts as control groups to accurately gauge the impact of COVID-19 on SSPD. Data from 19,344,698 patients, sourced from the N3C Data Enclave platform, were methodically filtered to create propensity matched cohorts: ARDS (n = 222,337), COVID-19 positive (n = 219,264), and COVID-19 negative (n = 213,183). We systematically analyzed the hazard rate of new-onset SSPD across three distinct time intervals: 0-21 days, 22-90 days, and beyond 90 days post-infection. COVID-19 positive patients consistently exhibited a heightened hazard ratio (HR) across all intervals [0-21 days (HR: 4.6; CI: 3.7-5.7), 22-90 days (HR: 2.9; CI: 2.3 -3.8), beyond 90 days (HR: 1.7; CI: 1.5-1.)]. These are notably higher than both ARDS and COVID-19 lab-negative patients. Validations using various tests, including the Cochran Mantel Haenszel Test, Wald Test, and Log-rank Test confirmed these associations. Intriguingly, our data indicated that younger individuals face a heightened risk of SSPD after contracting COVID-19, a trend not observed in the ARDS and COVID-19 negative groups. These results, aligned with the known neurotropism of SARS-CoV-2 and earlier studies, accentuate the need for vigilant psychiatric assessment and support in the era of Long-COVID, especially among younger populations.
Exploring q-Bernstein-Bézier surfaces in Minkowski space: Analysis, modeling, and applications
Authors: Bashir Sadia , Ahmad Daud , Ali Ghada
Published: May 2024

In this paper, we examine q-Bernstein-Bézier surfaces in Minkowski space-R 1 3 with q as the shape parameter. These surfaces, a generalization of Bézier surfaces, have applications in mathematics, computer-aided geometric design, and computer graphics for the surface formation and modeling. We analyze the timelike and spacelike cases of q-Bernstein-Bézier surfaces using known boundary control points. The mean curvature and Gaussian curvature of these q-Bernstein-Bézier surfaces are computed by finding the respective fundamental coefficients. We also investigate the shape operator dependency for timelike and spacelike q-Bernstein-Bézier surfaces in Minkowski space-R 1 3, and provide biquadratic and bicubic q-Bernstein-Bézier surfaces as illustrative examples for different values of the shape controlling parameter q.
The association of red and processed meat with gestational diabetes mellitus: Results from 2 Canadian birth cohort studies
Authors: Stennett Rosain N. , Gerstein Hertzel C. , Bangdiwala Shrikant I. , Rafiq Talha , Teo Koon K. , Morrison Katherine M. , Atkinson Stephanie A. , Anand Sonia S. , de Souza Russell J.
Published: May 2024

Objective

Red and processed meat is considered risk factors of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), but the evidence is inconclusive. We aimed to examine the association between red and processed meat intake and odds of GDM among South Asian and White European women living in Canada.

Methods

This is a cross-sectional analysis of pregnant women from two birth cohorts: SouTh Asian biRth cohorT (START; n = 976) and Family Atherosclerosis Monitoring In earLY life (FAMILY; n = 581). Dietary intake was assessed using a validated 169-item semi-quantitative food-frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Multivariate logistic regression models were used to examine the associations between gestational diabetes and: 1) total red and processed meat; 2) unprocessed red meat; 3) processed meat and GDM after adjustment for potential confounders.

Results

There were 241 GDM cases in START and 91 in FAMILY. The median total red and processed meat intake were 1.5 g/d (START) and 52.8 g/d (FAMILY). In START, the multivariable-adjusted odds ratio (OR) showed neither lower nor higher intakes of unprocessed red meat (p-trend = 0.68), processed meat (p-trend = 0.90), or total red and processed meat (p-trend = 0.44), were associated with increased odds of GDM, when compared with medium intake. Similar results were observed in FAMILY except for processed meat intake [OR = 0.94 (95% CI 0.47–1.91), for medium versus low and OR = 1.51 (95% CI 0.77–2.29) for medium versus high; p-trend = 0.18] after adjusting for additional dietary factors such as the diet quality score, total fiber, saturated fat and glycemic load.

Conclusion

Medium compared with low or high red and processed meat intake is not associated with GDM in White Europeans and South Asians living in Canada.
Metabolic profiling during COVID-19 infection in humans: Identification of potential biomarkers for occurrence, severity and outcomes using machine learning
Authors: Elgedawy Gamalat A. , Samir Mohamed , Elabd Naglaa S. , Elsaid Hala H. , Enar Mohamed , Salem Radwa H. , Montaser Belal A. , AboShabaan Hind S. , Seddik Randa M. , El-Askaeri Shimaa M. , Omar Marwa M. , Helal Marwa L.
Published: May 2024

Background

After its emergence in China, the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 has swept the world, leading to global health crises with millions of deaths. COVID-19 clinical manifestations differ in severity, ranging from mild symptoms to severe disease. Although perturbation of metabolism has been reported as a part of the host response to COVID-19 infection, scarce data exist that describe stage-specific changes in host metabolites during the infection and how this could stratify patients based on severity.

Methods

Given this knowledge gap, we performed targeted metabolomics profiling and then used machine learning models and biostatistics to characterize the alteration patterns of 50 metabolites and 17 blood parameters measured in a cohort of 295 human subjects. They were categorized into healthy controls, non-severe, severe and critical groups with their outcomes. Subject’s demographic and clinical data were also used in the analyses to provide more robust predictive models.

Results

The non-severe and severe COVID-19 patients experienced the strongest changes in metabolite repertoire, whereas less intense changes occur during the critical phase. Panels of 15, 14, 2 and 2 key metabolites were identified as predictors for non-severe, severe, critical and dead patients, respectively. Specifically, arginine and malonyl methylmalonyl succinylcarnitine were significant biomarkers for the onset of COVID-19 infection and tauroursodeoxycholic acid were potential biomarkers for disease progression. Measuring blood parameters enhanced the predictive power of metabolic signatures during critical illness.

Conclusions

Metabolomic signatures are distinctive for each stage of COVID-19 infection. This has great translation potential as it opens new therapeutic and diagnostic prospective based on key metabolites.
Mediating role of health literacy in relationship between frailty and health-related quality of life in community-dwelling older adults
Authors: Kim Hee-Sun , Kim Jinhee , Kim Ji-Ah
Published: May 2024

Purpose

The aim of this study was to investigate the mediating effects of health literacy on the relationship between frailty and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among community-dwelling older adults.

Methods

This study used the Korean Frailty and Aging Cohort Database (KFACD) for secondary data analysis. We selected data from 1,631 people without missing main variable values for analysis. Frailty was determined based on the modified Fried’s phenotype [MFP], and HRQOL was measured using the Korean version of the 5-level EuroQol questionnaire (EQ-5D-5L). Health literacy was assessed using the questions on the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) used by the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention. To examine the mediating role of health literacy in the relationship between frailty and HRQOL, Baron & Kenny’s three-step mediating effect verification method was utilized.

Results

The participants had a mean frailty score of 1.37±1.02, health literacy score of 8.56±2.59, and HRQOL score of 0.84±0.10. Frailty was negatively correlated with health literacy (r = -0.27, p < .001) and HRQOL (r = -0.32, p < .001), while health literacy was positively correlated with HRQOL (r = 0.34, p < .001). We observed that health literacy played a partial mediating role in the relationship between frailty and HRQOL.

Conclusion

To increase older adults’ HRQOL, measures that directly prevent and manage frailty as well as interventions that target the enhancement of health literacy are needed.
Inhibiting or promoting: Population aging and economic development in China
Authors: Yang XiFeng , Qi MeiHui
Published: May 2024

Population aging has become a social issue of concern to the whole world, and as the world’s most populous country, how to cope with population aging will be a hot issue that all sectors of Chinese society must think about. This paper uses provincial panel data from 30 provinces in China from 2000 to 2021 to study the relationship between population aging and economic development based on the perspective of health expenditure. The DIFF-GMM model, the fixed effect model (FE), and fixed effect instrumental variable model (FE-IV) are used to test this study. The following two conclusions are drawn from the empirical study: (1) population aging has a significant inhibitory effect on economic development, while health expenditures have a significant promotional effect on economic development; and (2) increased health expenditures help to alleviate the negative impact of population aging on economic development. However, the deepening of population aging will likewise inhibit the positive effect of health expenditure on economic growth. Based on the conclusions of the study, it is recommended that the government and society should continue to increase spending in the field of health protection, encourage and guide residents to carry out self-care, and moderately increase personal health expenditure, to promote economic development with healthy bodies and realize the goal of "Healthy China".
A contrast sensitivity model of the human visual system in modern conditions for presenting video content
Authors: Mozhaeva Anastasia , Cree Michael J. , Durrant Robert J. , Vlasuyk Igor , Potashnikov Aleksei , Mazin Vladimir , Streeter Lee
Published: May 2024

Digital video incurs many distortions during processing, compression, storage, and transmission, which can reduce perceived video quality. Developing adaptive video transmission methods that provide increased bandwidth and reduced storage space while preserving visual quality requires quality metrics that accurately describe how people perceive distortion. A severe problem for developing new video quality metrics is the limited data on how the early human visual system simultaneously processes spatial and temporal information. The problem is exacerbated by the fact that the few data collected in the middle of the last century do not consider current display equipment and are subject to medical intervention during collection, which does not guarantee a proper description of the conditions under which media content is currently consumed. In this paper, the 27840 thresholds of the visibility of spatio-temporal sinusoidal variations necessary to determine the artefacts that a human perceives were measured by a new method using different spatial sizes and temporal modulation rates. A multidimensional model of human contrast sensitivity in modern conditions of video content presentation is proposed based on new large-scale data obtained during the experiment. We demonstrate that the presented visibility model has a distinct advantage in predicting subjective video quality by testing with video quality metrics and including our and other visibility models against three publicly available video datasets.
Ultrasound combined with urokinase under key-shaped bone window enhances blood clot lysis in an in vitro model of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage
Authors: Xu Lei , Yang Qiang , Gong Jian , Wang Jia , Xiong Weiming , Liu Liu , Liu Yang , Zhou Weiduo , Sun Chao , Liang Yidan , Wang Yanglingxi , Xiang Yi , Deng Yongbing , Cui Min
Published: May 2024

Objective

Minimally invasive surgery for spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage is impeded by inadequate lysis of the target blood clot. Ultrasound is thought to expedite intravascular thrombolysis, thereby facilitating vascular recanalization. However, the impact of ultrasound on intracerebral blood clot lysis remains uncertain. This study aimed to explore the feasibility of combining ultrasound with urokinase to enhance blood clot lysis in an in vitro model of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage.

Methods

The blood clots were divided into four groups: control group, ultrasound group, urokinase group, and ultrasound + urokinase group. Using our experimental setup, which included a key-shaped bone window, we simulated a minimally invasive puncture and drainage procedure for spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage. The blood clot was then irradiated using ultrasound. Blood clot lysis was assessed by weighing the blood clot before and after the experiment. Potential adverse effects were evaluated by measuring the temperature variation around the blood clot in the ultrasound + urokinase group.

Results

A total of 40 blood clots were observed, with 10 in each experimental group. The blood clot lysis rate in the ultrasound group, urokinase group, and ultrasound + urokinase group (24.83 ± 4.67%, 47.85 ± 7.09%, 61.13 ± 4.06%) was significantly higher than that in the control group (16.11 ± 3.42%) (p = 0.02, p < 0.001, p < 0.001). The blood clot lysis rate in the ultrasound + urokinase group (61.13 ± 4.06%) was significantly higher than that in the ultrasound group (24.83 ± 4.67%) (p < 0.001) or urokinase group (47.85 ± 7.09%) (p < 0.001). In the ultrasound + urokinase group, the mean increase in temperature around the blood clot was 0.26 ± 0.15°C, with a maximum increase of 0.38 ± 0.09°C. There was no significant difference in the increase in temperature regarding the main effect of time interval (F = 0.705, p = 0.620), the main effect of distance (F = 0.788, p = 0.563), or the multiplication interaction between time interval and distance (F = 1.100, p = 0.342).

Conclusions

Our study provides evidence supporting the enhancement of blood clot lysis in an in vitro model of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage through the combined use of ultrasound and urokinase. Further animal experiments are necessary to validate the experimental methods and results.
Veterinary telemedicine practicability: Analyzing Russian pet owners’ feedback
Authors: Akchurin Sergey Vladimirovich , Benseghir Hassane , Bouchemla Fayssal , Akchurina Irina Vladimirovna , Fedotov Sergey Vasilievich , Dyulger Georgiy Petrovitch , Dmitrieva Veronica Vladimirovna
Published: May 2024

Background and Aim: Previous research points to a growth rate of 17% for veterinary telemedicine. This study aimed to analyze pet owners’ attitudes, feasibility, and socioeconomic impacts of introducing this growth technique to a particular demographic.

Materials and Methods: Five hundred population-representative respondents were utilized in the study. The ages ranged
from 18 to 68 years. At the Russian State Agrarian University’s veterinary hospital, respondents (pet owners) made contact
(either in person or remotely). The survey inquired about participants’ personal information, their pets, and veterinary
telemedicine. Russia uses the ruble, issued by the Bank of Russia, as its currency. The required sample size of 385 for this
study was determined using the Q test to ensure feasibility.

Results: 79.2% of the participants had a positive outlook on telemedicine. Every fifth applicant turned down telemedicine,
opting instead for personal vet appointments. 53.8% of respondents with prices under $14 were willing to pay for the
service, whereas 17.8% (89 people) outright rejected it, and 93.8% of the paid customers belonged to the age group of
18–28. Pet owners with chronically ill animals merit special consideration.

Conclusion: Pet owners are generally open to veterinary telemedicine, but it remains underutilized. The study reveals
directions for optimizing veterinary telemedicine and enhancing client and patient satisfaction. Despite limitations (less
access to respondents/telemedicine), future approach is to investigate variables and invariable factors affecting this process.

Keywords: payment behavior, respondents, survey, telecommunication, veterinary telemedicine.
Production and composition of peppermint essential oil in seasons after summer and winter transplantations
Authors: Souza Jéssica Maronez de , Cargnelutti Filho Alberto , Pezzini Rafael Vieira , Somavilla Felipe Manfio , Heinzmann Berta Maria , Rodrigues Patrícia
Published: May 2024

The aim of this study was to determine the season that provides the highest production and best quality of peppermint (Mentha x piperita L.) essential oil in summer and winter transplantations. Two experiments were performed in a protected cultivation, the first with transplantation in summer and the second with transplantation in winter, with a completely randomized design with four treatments, being the seasons of the year. Content, yield and chemical composition of the essential oil were determined. The essential oil was extracted by hydrodistillation and analyzed by gas chromatography. Essential oil content in summer and winter transplantations was higher in summer and essential oil yield was higher in spring. In the summer transplanting the major components were menthone, isomenthone and pulegone. In the winter transplanting menthone, menthofuran, isopulegone, pulegone and menthol were detected as major components. Menthofuran, a compound which reduces the essential oil quality, were found in high amounts in winter transplanted plants. The higher production of peppermint essential oil is obtained in summer and spring harvests and the main compound is menthone in all seasons. The best quality of essential oil is obtained in the summer transplanting.
International entrepreneurship: Insights from Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam
Authors:   TAFE SA – Business & Arts, Australia, Sorensen Bjarne
Published: May 2024

The discipline of International Entrepreneurship (IE) conceptually rests upon the foundations of entrepreneurship and international business – with theory typically derived from larger corporations and mature markets. Through comparison between IE in emerging and mature contexts, and individual and corporate entrepreneurship, distinctive features of individual IE in emerging markets are identified. A series of case studies conducted in Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam document how incremental innovation underpins IE; how foreignness helps IEs spot opportunities (unrecognized by locals); how simple bureaucracies (commonly found in emerging markets) invigorate IE; how startups in emerging environments embody assimilation (larger international corporations cannot match) – and how this assimilation (combined with being small and nimble) enables IEs to thrive within ambiguity and institutional voids. Most importantly, this study challenges the applicability of institutional and transaction cost theory to explain market entry modes of individual IEs in emerging markets. Contrary to conventional wisdom, institutional voids were not found to deter these IEs. Rather, these IEs’ primary concerns relate to pro-business dispositions among authorities, simple bureaucracies, and uncomplicated investment climates.
Ameliorating the profound gender wage gap in the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry among the APEC members: The could and should
Authors:   Department of Civil Engineering, Tamkang University, Taiwan, Fan Su-Ling , Chai Chang-Saar ,   School of Architecture, Building and Design, Faculty of Innovation and Technology, Taylor's University, Malaysia, Lim Bibiana Chiu-Yiong ,   Faculty of Business, Design and Arts, Swinburne University of Technology, Sarawak Campus, Malaysia, Lu Shao-Ming ,   Department of Civil Engineering, Tamkang University, Taiwan, Gui Hun-Chuen ,   Faculty of Built Environment, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Malaysia
Published: May 2024

This research aims to discover the challenges and propose effective strategies to empower women by ameliorating the gender wage gap in the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry among the APEC members. The study applied document review analysis and conducted focus group discussions, where thirty female professionals in the AEC industry from APEC participated. The results report four challenges contributing to the gender wage gap, namely gender bias and stereotyping, work-family conflicts, physical strength and lack of transparency. Based on the challenges, the study suggests several key strategies focusing on women's participation in the AEC industry, encouraging genderfriendly workplaces, healthy and safe workplaces, and fair career development opportunities to reduce the gender wage gap effectively. The findings suggest that by increasing awareness of the value of women's involvement in the AEC industry, pragmatic policies should be formulated for APEC members to break down the barriers to the gender wage gap.
Pavel Šveda (ed.) (2021) Changing Paradigms and Approaches in Interpreter Training
Authors: Trusová Veronika
Published: May 2024

Book review on Pavel Šveda (ed.) (2021) Changing Paradigms and Approaches in Interpreter Training. New York: Routledge
Predicting the deep drawing process of TRIP steel grades using multilayer perceptron artificial neural networks
Authors: Sevsek L. , Vilkovsky S. , Majernikova J. , Pepelnjak T.
Published: May 2024

TRIP (Transformation Induced Plasticity) steels belong to the group of advanced high-strength steels. Their main advantage is their excellent strength combined with high ductility, which makes them ideal for deep drawing processes. The forming of TRIP steels in the deep drawing process enables the production of a thin-walled final product with superior mechanical properties. For this reason, this study presents comprehensive research into the deep drawing of cylindrical cups made from TRIP steel. The research focuses on three main aspects of the deep drawing process, namely the sheet metal thinning, the maximum force value and the ear height as a result of the anisotropic material behaviour. Artificial neural networks (ANNs) were built to predict all the mentioned output parameters of the part or the process itself. The ANNs were trained using data obtained from a sufficient number of simulations based on the finite element method (FEM). The ANN models were developed based on variable material properties, including anisotropic parameters, blank holding force, blank diameter, and friction coefficient. A good agreement between simulation, ANN and experimental results is evident.
Integrated optimization of line planning and timetabling on high-speed railway network considering cross-line operation
Authors: Wang R.X. , Nie L. , Fang W. , Ren H.Q. , Tan Y.Y.
Published: May 2024

With the implementation of cross-line operation in high-speed railway system, accessibility of cross-line passengers on the railway network has substantially improved. However, due to limitations of capacity, it is hard to schedule a conflict-free timetable based on a train line plan with many cross-line trains. In order to generate a feasible and optimal transportation plan, a novel methodology is introduced. The approach can simultaneously optimize both the line plans of cross-line trains and train timetable, aiming at having a trade-off between operating profit and direct service. Based on an event-activity network framework, a mixed integer programming model is established. Considering service quality would decline after optimizing line plan and train schedules, the objective of the model is set to minimize deviations from ideal schedules for main-line trains while maximize direct service frequency for cross-line passengers. To solve large-scale scenarios efficiently, an enhanced heuristic genetic algorithm is developed. Two smaller-scale cases are devised to validate the efficiency of the model and approach. Finally, the model and the algorithm are applied to a real-world scenario involving the Beijing-Shanghai High-speed Railway and its connecting lines. Also, comparative experiments, including a scenario without cross-line optimization, are conducted to evaluate the advantage of the proposed approach. The result shows the approach can help to quickly find a feasible solution and have a good balance between operating profit and passenger demand.
Efficient Exact Subgraph Matching via GNN-Based Path Dominance Embedding
Authors: Ye Yutong , Lian Xiang , Chen Mingsong
Published: May 2024

The classic problem of
exact subgraph matching
returns those subgraphs in a large-scale data graph that are isomorphic to a given query graph, which has gained increasing importance in many real-world applications such as social network analysis, knowledge graph discovery in the Semantic Web, bibliographical network mining, and so on. In this paper, we propose a novel and effective
graph neural network (GNN)-based path embedding framework
(GNN-PE), which allows efficient
exact subgraph matching
without introducing
false dismissals.
Unlike traditional GNN-based graph embeddings that only produce
approximate
subgraph matching results, in this paper, we carefully devise GNN-based embeddings for paths, such that: if two paths (and 1-hop neighbors of vertices on them) have the subgraph relationship, their corresponding GNN-based embedding vectors will strictly follow the dominance relationship. With such a newly designed property of path dominance embeddings, we are able to propose effective pruning strategies based on path label/dominance embeddings and guarantee no false dismissals for subgraph matching. We build multidimensional indexes over path embedding vectors, and develop an efficient subgraph matching algorithm by traversing indexes over graph partitions in parallel and applying our pruning methods. We also propose a cost-model-based query plan that obtains query paths from the query graph with low query cost. Through extensive experiments, we confirm the efficiency and effectiveness of our proposed GNN-PE approach for exact subgraph matching on both real and synthetic graph data.
Leveraging Dynamic and Heterogeneous Workload Knowledge to Boost the Performance of Index Advisors
Authors: Wang Zijia , Liu Haoran , Lin Chen , Bao Zhifeng , Li Guoliang , Wang Tianqing
Published: May 2024

Current index advisors often struggle to balance efficiency and effectiveness when dealing with workload shifts. This arises from ignorance of the continual similarity and distant variety in workloads. This paper proposes a novel learning-based index advisor called BALANCE, which boosts indexing performance by leveraging knowledge obtained from dynamic and heterogeneous workloads. Our approach consists of three components. First, we build separate Lightweight Index Advisors (LIAs) on sequential chunks of similar workloads, where each LIA is trained with a small batch of workloads drawn from the chunk, and it provides direct index recommendations for all workloads in the same chunk. Second, we perform a policy transfer mechanism by adapting the LIA's index selection strategy from historical knowledge, substantially reducing the training overhead. Third, we employ a self-supervised contrastive learning method to provide an off-the-shelf workload representation, enabling the LIA to generate more accurate index recommendations. Extensive experiments across various benchmarks demonstrate that BALANCE improves the state-of-the-art learning-based index advisor, SWIRL, by 10.03% while reducing training overhead by 35.70% on average.
Molecular allergology: a clinical laboratory tool for precision diagnosis, stratification and follow-up of allergic patients
Authors: Giusti Delphine , Guemari Amir , Perotin Jeanne-Marie , Fontaine Jean-François , Tonye Libyh Marcelle , Gatouillat Gregory , Tabary Thierry , Pham Bach-Nga , Vitte Joana
Published: May 2024

Identification of the molecular culprits of allergic reactions leveraged molecular allergology applications in clinical laboratory medicine. Molecular allergology shifted the focus from complex, heterogeneous allergenic extracts, e.g. pollen, food, or insect venom, towards genetically and immunologically defined proteins available for in vitro diagnosis. Molecular allergology is a precision medicine approach for the diagnosis, stratification, therapeutic management, follow-up and prognostic evaluation of patients within a large range of allergic diseases. Exclusively available for in vitro diagnosis, molecular allergology is nonredundant with any of the current clinical tools for allergy investigation. As an example of a major application, discrimination of genuine sensitization from allergen cross-reactivity at the molecular level allows the proper targeting of the culprit allergen and thus dramatically improves patient management. This review aims at introducing clinical laboratory specialists to molecular allergology, from the biochemical and genetic bases, through immunological concepts, to daily use in the diagnosis and management of allergic diseases.
Approximation of complex q-Beta-Baskakov-Szász-Stancu operators in compact disk
Authors: Cheregi Larisa , Mursaleen Mohammad
Published: May 2024

The purpose this study is to present and investigate the

q

q

-Beta-Baskakov-Szasz-Stancu operator. The operators are accompanied by Voronovskaja-type consequences, which include both an exact approximation order and a quantitative assessment, specifically within compact disks.
Crystal structure of 4,8a-bis(4-chlorophenyl)-1,5,6-tris(4-fluorobenzyl)-1,4,4a,4b,5,6,8a,8b-octahydrocyclobuta[1,2-b:3,4-c′]dipyridine-3,8-dicarbonitrile, C45H33Cl2F3N4
Authors: Li Zhuo-Jun , Xiao Lu-Yao , Shi Wei-Kang , Yang Kai-Yin
Published: May 2024

C45H33Cl2F3N4, monoclinic, P21/c (no. 14), a = 11.7076(13) Å, b = 11.8186(13) Å, c = 27.473(3) Å, β = 91.188(2)°, V = 3800.6(7) Å3, Z = 4, Rgt
(F) = 0.0591, wRref
(F
2) = 0.1856, T = 293 K.
Alignment in Vamale, South Oceanic: Diachrony and contact influence
Authors: Rohleder Jean
Published: May 2024

This article describes three homophonous morphemes ka integral to alignment in Vamale, a South Oceanic language: a relational classifier, a subject marker clitic, and a possessive linker in nominalizations. Northern New Caledonian languages tend towards ergativity, while southern ones favour accusative alignment in all domains. Vamale is spoken near the border between the two and shows a fascinating pattern: one system in nouns, another in verbs, and a third one in nominalizations. Using first-hand field data, this article introduces the relevant concepts with examples and compares Vamale to its neighbours. While the development of this system remains speculative, we argue that the language has assimilated to its powerful neighbour Cèmuhî.
Influence of austempering temperatures on microstructure and wear performance of solution strengthened ferritic ductile cast irons
Authors: Teker T. , Yilmaz S. O. , Bulus E.
Published: May 2024

The object of this study was to analyze the effect of diverse austempering temperature on microstructure of solution strengthened ferritic ductile cast irons. Austempering was carried out at 300, 500, 550 and 600 °C for period of 3 h followed by air-cooling. Samples were examined by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction. The adhesive wear experiment of the samples was done in dry sliding conditions. The worn surface of the sample was examined by SEM. The dimensions and proportions of the ausferrite and bainitic phases in the matrix changed with the austempering temperature. The nodules exhibited very good dispersion behavior in the solution strengthened ferritic ductile iron matrix. The transformation of acicular ferrite showed a significant bainite characteristic. The rate of wear increased with the increasing austempering temperature.
Asymmetric Impact of Financial Development on Economic Growth in Mauritius
Authors: Saungweme Talknice , Maluleke Glenda , Odhiambo Nicholas M.
Published: May 2024

This paper examines the asymmetric impact of financial development on economic growth in Mauritius during the period 1980–2021. The analyses were carried out using a nonlinear autoregressive distributed lag (NARDL) model in conjunction with additional complementary tests, including the NARDL bounds F-test for cointegration, the Brock-Dechert-Scheinkman (BDS) nonlinearity test, and the Wald test for asymmetries. The findings of the bounds F-test provide support for a nonlinear cointegration, whereas the BDS test shows the presence of nonlinearity in the data for all the variables. The Wald test results revealed an asymmetric relationship between financial development and economic growth in Mauritius, both in the short and long run. The NARDL findings show that, on average, positive changes in financial development lead to economic growth in the long and short run. Therefore, the paper encourages the government of Mauritius to continue pursuing policies aimed at the expansion of its financial sector since it has a significant positive impact on its economic growth.
Interkulturelle Theologie im Horizont der Pfingstkirchen: Herausforderungen und Potenziale
Authors: Jahnel Claudia
Published: May 2024

Pfingstkirchen wurden in der Interkulturellen Theologie in den letzten Jahrzehnten wissenschaftstheoretisch primär als transkulturelle religiöse Phänomene betrachtet und analysiert. Intersektionale Dynamiken und Verhandlungen auf den Schnittstellen von gender-, race- und class-bezogenen Diskriminierungen spielen hingegen in der Theoriebildung bislang kaum eine Rolle. In der Spannung und Verbindung von transkulturellen und intersektionalen Dynamiken liegen jedoch besondere Herausforderungen und Potenziale, die Pfingstkirchen für Interkulturelle Theologie heute bieten. Der Beitrag untersucht konkrete Entwicklungen im Feld der Forschung insbesondere zum „Black Pentecostalism“ und entwickelt daraus Perspektiven für eine verschränkte transkulturelle und intersektionale Forschung.
Tartózkodástól az aktívabb katonai szerepvállalásig
Authors: Gyula Speck
Published: May 2024

Az alábbi recenzió Hevő Péter történész 2023-ban megjelent Vissza a fegyverekhez? A hadsereg és külpolitika kapcsolata az újraegyesített Németországban című könyvét ismerteti. A szerző doktori kutatásán alapuló mű bemutatja, hogy az újraegyesített Németország hogyan szakított a katonai tartózkodás gyakorlatával és miként jutott el oda, hogy a NATO területén kívüli békeműveletekben részt vegyen. Hevő Péter rávilágít, hogy a német külpolitikai döntéshozóknak folyamatosan a szövetségesi elvárások és a hazai fenntartások között kellett egyensúlyoznia. A német politikai vezetés végül egy tanulási folyamat eredményeként le tudta küzdeni a politikai és jogi akadályokat, melynek következtében Németország aktívabb szerepet tud betölteni a nemzetközi biztonságban.
Evaluación de competencias de investigación y de su aprendizaje a mediano plazo en estudiantes mexicanos
Authors: Corona-Figueroa Beatriz Adriana
Published: May 2024

El enfoque por competencias parece ser una alternativa viable para evaluar el aprendizaje de la investigación a corto y mediano plazo. El objetivo del estudio es describir las competencias y experiencias en investigación de estudiantes mexicanos de educación superior y su estabilidad en el tiempo.  Se trata de un estudio mixto en tres etapas: en la primera etapa se aplicó un cuestionario a 151 estudiantes mexicanos, en la segunda se realizó una evaluación cualitativa de un grupo al terminar un curso de Metodología de la Investigación y en la tercera se dio seguimiento a esos estudiantes un año después. La competencia más desarrollada por los participantes fue el dominio metodológico, los menores puntajes se presentaron en el dominio de comunicación oral y de comunicación escrita, mientras que el seguimiento a un año muestra que los estudiantes conservaron las competencias adquiridas. Se requiere enfatizar el desarrollo de competencias comunicativas en los cursos de investigación y establecer seguimientos sistemáticos de su aprendizaje.
Autoregulation Does Not Provide Additional Benefits to a Mixed Session Periodized Resistance Training Program in Trained Men
Authors: Bartolomei Sandro , Francesco Laterza , Latini Davide , Hoffman Jay R.
Published: May 2024

Bartolomei, S, Francesco, L, Latini, D, and Hoffman, JR. Autoregulation does not provide additional benefits to a mixed session periodized resistance training program in trained men. J Strength Cond Res 38(9): 1535–1542, 2024—The aim of this investigation was to study how autoregulation impacted training volume, performance, and muscle size on a 10-week mixed session periodized (MSP) resistance training program, characterized by the inclusion of different training foci in each session. Twenty-four resistance trained men were assigned to an autoregulated mixed session periodized (AMSP group; n = 13; age = 26.2 ± 4.9 y; body mass = 82.0 ± 8.7 kg; height = 176.8 ± 6.0 cm) or into an MSP (n = 11; age = 24.0 ± 2.6; body mass = 81.3 ± 10.5 kg; height = 174.0 ± 5.4 cm) group. Subjects in both groups trained 5 days per week for 10 weeks and performed the same exercises. The difference between the groups consisted in the use of a perceived recovery-based scale to adjust the individual training volume in the AMSP program. Maximal strength (bench press and squat 1 repetition maximum), power (bench press throw and countermovement jump), and muscle architecture (muscle thickness [MT] of biceps brachii, trapezius, vastus lateralis and vastus medialis) were collected before and after the 10-week training period. In addition, training volume and session load were calculated for each training session. A higher total training volume (p < 0.001) was seen in AMSP program compared with MSP program, but no differences (p > 0.05) were noted in the average session load. No significant differences between the groups were detected for MT of both upper-body and lower-body muscles (p's > 0.05) and lean body mass (p = 0.681). No significant differences between the groups were detected for any strength or power measurements. Results of this study indicate that a perceived recovery-based AMSP training program was not more effective than an MSP training program for increasing muscle size and performance in resistance trained men.
How Productivity and Trade Liberalization Can Affect the Economies of Developing Nations is Illustrated by the Vietnamese Manufacturing Sectors Case
Authors: Dung Nguyen Dac
Published: May 2024

This article proposes a model to examine the impact of trade liberalization on productivity growth in developing countries, exemplified by Vietnam, which is positioned at a technological distance from the frontier. Built upon the Schumpeterian framework and Total Factor Productivity (TFP) analysis, the study illustrates that free trade can directly influence the technological gap of a small developing nation by necessitating the importation of all intermediate goods from its dominant trading partner, a developed country. Moreover, trade liberalization has a negative impact on Vietnam’s productivity growth, with domestic competition and trade barriers emerging as significant factors. Additionally, the research concludes that the national economic policies of Vietnam during the 2016–2020 period were ineffective, partially attributed to the failure of state-owned enterprises. As a result, international trade openness may lead to enduring adverse consequences for smaller developing countries, like Vietnam, and serves as a noteworthy example of diminishing innovation.
Nutritional quality in roes of tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) raised in fish ponds in Rondônia state, Brazil
Authors: Dantas Filho Jerônimo Vieira , de Oliveira Sarah Lima , de Oliveira Antônia Valcemira Domingos , de Lima Cristina Sá , Santos Elton Lima , Reis Eduardo Mitke Brandão , de Souza Maria Luiza Rodrigues , Schons Sandro de Vargas , Cavali Jucilene Braitenbach
Published: May 2024

Background: The roes of tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) - Amazon caviar - are co-products from fish processing that have a high nutritional value and can be considered a nutritionally viable alternative for human and animal consumption, in addition to the possibility of using them for lipid extraction. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the nutritional quality in roes of tambaqui raised in fish ponds in Rondônia state, Brazil. Main Body: A total of 3 samples of 20 specimens of tambaqui were collected in a fish processing unit, registered in the Brazilian System of Inspection of Products of Animal Origin (SISBI-POA), located in the municipality of Vale do Paraíso, Rondônia state, Brazil. The results obtained were proximate composition (in 100g), 1.77g of mineral matter, 17.77g of crude protein, 12.24g of total lipids and 79.94% moisture. A mineral profile (in 100g) was obtained, 6.21 mg of total iron, 49.18 mg of Na+, 309.17 mg of K+, 473.93 mg of Ca2+ and 162.6 mg of Mg2+. They also contain essential fatty acids such as EPA 2 n-6) 1.39%, DHA (C22:6 n-3) 0.40%, ALA (C18:3 n-3) 0.53% and AA (C18 :2 n-6) 9.61% and high quality indices UFAs/SFAs 1.26, UFAs (n-6/n-3) 5.44, TI 0.47, AI 0.53 and h/H 1, 74. The tambaqui roes showed good nutritional parameters with a significant amount of essential fatty acids and good lipid quality indeces.
COMPREHENSIVE OVERVIEW OF ADAPTOR PROTEIN RUK/CIN85 ROLES IN CANCER
Authors:   Palladin Institute of Biochemistry of National Academy of Sciences (NASU), Kyiv, Ukraine, Horak I. ,   Masaryk University, Brno, the Czech Republic
Published: May 2024

Aim. This study is focused on a comprehensive overview of mechanisms and processes involved in the acquisition of cancer cell plasticity in a manner dependent on the adapter protein Ruk/CIN85 (in rodents, Ruk — regulator of ubiquitous kinase; in human CIN85 — Cbl-interacting protein of 85 kDa, encoded by SH3KBP1 gene).. Methods. Gene expression was evaluated using RT2-PCR and Western blotting, cell proliferation and survival were analyzed using MTT and/or dye exclusion assays, motility was assessed by scratch test and Transwell assay, enzyme activities were measured using spectrophotometric assays. In vivo metastasis were studies using experimental metastasis model. Conclusion. This study discloses various aspects of cancer cells plasticity, such as EMT, stemness, metabolic changes, ECM components, and drug resistance in dependence on adaptor protein Ruk/CIN85 expression level.