bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Peripapillary vessel density in eyes with cone-rod dystrophy
Authors: Shinozuka Masato , Arai Mizuho , Hirayama Yumeno , Uechi Yuna , Kawasaki Shohei , Okawa Kazuyoshi , Iwashita Yume , Miyazato Misa , Hirono Kazushi , Nakamura Kentaro , Inoue Tatsuya , Asaoka Ryo , Yanagi Yasuo , Maruyama-Inoue Maiko , Kadonosono Kazuaki
Published: January 2024

Purpose

To compared the vessel density (VD) around the optic nerve head (ONH) in eyes with cone-rod dystrophy (CORD) and healthy control eyes in a sector-wise manner and to investigate the relationship between VD around the ONH and visual function in CORD eyes.

Methods

Twenty-six eyes in 14 CORD patients and 25 eyes in 25 healthy control subjects were examined. Using OCT angiography images, the VDs in the superficial and deep capillary plexus at the macula (sVDm and dVDm) and those around the ONH in the superior, temporal, inferior and nasal region (VDnh_s, VDnh_t, VDnh_i, and VDnh_n, respectively) were measured for each eye. Patient age, visual acuity (VA) and VDs were then compared between two groups. Moreover, the relationships between VA and the VDs were analyzed using a linear mixed model and AICc model selection.

Results

No significant difference in age was seen between the CORD and control groups (p = 0.87, Wilcoxon rank sum test), but the VA was significantly lower in the CORD group (p<0.0001). Both sVDm and dVDm were significantly lower in the CORD eyes than in the control eyes (both p<0.0001). Among VDnh_s, VDnh_t, VDnh_i, and VDnh_n, however, only VDnh_t differed significantly between the CORD and control groups (p = 0.035). Among age, VDnh_t, dVDm, and sVDm, the optimal model for VA included only VDnh_t and dVDm.

Conclusions

In addition to the VD in the deep capillary plexus at the macula, the measurement of temporal VD around the ONH might be useful for predicting visual function in eyes with CORD.
Comparative efficacy of terlipressin and norepinephrine for treatment of hepatorenal syndrome-acute kidney injury: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Olson Jody C. , Subramanian Ram M.
Published: January 2024

The treatment of choice for hepatorenal syndrome-acute kidney injury (HRS-AKI) is vasoconstrictor therapy in combination with albumin, preferably norepinephrine or terlipressin as recommended by recent guidelines. In the absence of larger head-to-head trials comparing the efficacy of terlipressin and norepinephrine, meta-analysis of smaller studies can provide insights needed to understand the comparative effects of these medications. Additionally, recent changes in the HRS diagnosis and treatment guidelines underscore the need for newer analyses comparing terlipressin and norepinephrine. In this systematic review, we aimed to assess reversal of hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) and 1-month mortality in subjects receiving terlipressin or norepinephrine for the management of HRS-AKI. We searched literature databases, including PubMed, Cochrane, Clinicaltrials.gov, International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, Embase, and ResearchGate, for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published from January 2007 to June 2023 on June 26, 2023. Only trials comparing norepinephrine and albumin with terlipressin and albumin for the treatment of HRS-AKI in adults were included, and trials without HRS reversal as an endpoint or nonresponders were excluded. Pairwise meta-analyses with the random effects model were conducted to estimate odds ratios (ORs) for HRS reversal and 1-month mortality as primary outcomes. Additional outcomes assessed, included HRS recurrence, predictors of response, and incidence of adverse events (AEs). We used the Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool for quality assessment. We included 7 RCTs with a total of 376 subjects with HRS-AKI or HRS type 1. This meta-analysis showed numerically higher rates of HRS reversal (OR 1.33, 95% confidence interval [CI] [0.80–2.22]; P = 0.22) and short-term survival (OR 1.50, 95% CI [0.64–3.53]; P = 0.26) with terlipressin, though these results did not reach statistical significance. Terlipressin was associated with AEs such as abdominal pain and diarrhea, whereas norepinephrine was associated with cardiovascular AEs such as chest pain and ischemia. Most of the AEs were reversible with a reduction in dose or discontinuation of therapy across both arms. Of the terlipressin-treated subjects, 5.3% discontinued therapy due to serious AEs compared to 2.7% of the norepinephrine-treated subjects. Limitations of this analysis included small sample size and study differences in HRS-AKI diagnostic criteria. As more studies using the new HRS-AKI criteria comparing terlipressin and norepinephrine are completed, a clearer understanding of the comparability of these 2 therapies will emerge.
Coping, health anxiety, and stress among health professionals during Covid-19, Cape Coast, Ghana
Authors: Nkyi Anthony K. , Baaba Bridgette
Published: January 2024

The aim of this study is to investigate coping strategies, health anxiety and stress among healthcare professionals in selected hospitals in the Cape Coast Metropolis during the Covid 19 pandemic. This study adopted the Descriptive survey design. The Multistage sampling technique was used to select 322 health professionals. The health professionals included Medical Officers, Physician Assistants and Nurses. Data were gathered using the Health Anxiety Inventory (HAI-SF), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and the Brief-COPE Inventory. Analyses were conducted using mean and standard deviation, ANOVA as well as Independent Samples t-test. Results indicate that Health professionals adopted diverse coping strategies ranging from positive to negative coping style to overcome the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Results also indicate that coping strategies significantly influenced health anxiety levels of health professionals, and that Active Coping is a significant determinant of stress among health professionals. Male health professionals had significantly more health anxiety than females. However, gender was not a significant factor in the experiences of stress. Lastly, age of health professionals does not determine the type of coping strategy they adopted during the pandemic.
A numerical model of the MICP multi-process considering the scale size
Authors: Zhu Xianxian , Wang Jianhua , Wang Haili , Li Yujie
Published: January 2024

As an environmentally friendly and controllable technology, Microbially induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) has broad applications in geotechnical and environmental fields. However, the longitudinal dispersivity in MICP multi-process varies with the scale size. Ignoring the effect of the scale size of the research object on the dispersivity leads to the inaccuracy between the numerical model and the experiment data. Thus, this paper has established the relationship between the scale size and the dispersivity initially, and optimized the theoretical system of MICP multi-process reaction. When scale size increases logarithmically from 10−2m to 105m, longitudinal dispersivity shows a trend of increasing from 10−3m to 104m. The distribution of calcium carbonate is closer to the experimentally measured value when the size effect is considered. After considering the scale size, the suspended bacteria and attached bacteria are higher than the cased without considering the size effect, which leads to a higher calcium carbonate content. Scale has little effect on the penetration law of the suspended bacteria. The maximum carbonate content increases with the increase of the initial porosity, and the average carbonate shows a significant increasing trend with the increase of the bacterial injecting rate. In the simulation of the microbial mineralization kinetic model, it is recommended to consider the influence of the scale size on the MICP multi-process.
Role of Vitamin D in improving immunity
Authors: Paul Richa
Published: January 2024

The immune system plays a vital role in defending and protecting the human body from invading pathogens. This poster explores how vitamin D can improve the body's defense system. It first looks at the structure of vitamin D and the effects of its deficiency in the body. The primary emphasis will be on the effects of the vitamin on the functioning of the components of theimmune system by studying available research on this subject.
Analysis of Rehabilitation Systems in Regards to Requirements Towards Remote Home Rehabilitation Devices
Authors: Falkowski Piotr , Rzymkowski Cezary , Pilat Zbigniew
Published: January 2024

Contemporary international pandemic proved that a flexible approach towards work, trade and healthcare is not only favourable but a must. Hence, the devices enabling home-rehabilitation became one of the urgent needs of the medical market. The following overview is a part of an R\&D project aimed at designing an exoskeleton and developing methods enabling effective home rehabilitation. It contains a comparison of current devices in terms of their kinematics, applications, weights, sizes, and integration with selected ICT technologies. The data is analysed regarding conclusions from qualitative research, based on in-depth interviews with physiotherapists and questionnaires organised beforehand. The investigation assesses whether commercial and developed devices enable feedback from a patient by all possible means; hence, if they could allow effective telerehabilitation. Moreover, their capabilities of increasing engagement and accelerating improvements by supervising techniques and measuring biomechanical parameters are evaluated. These outcomes are a base to set the constraints and requirements before designing an exoskeleton dedicated to home treatment.
CARACTERIZAÇÃO CLÍNICO-EPIDEMIOLÓGICA E AUTOCORRELAÇÃO ESPACIAL DOS CASOS DE COVID-19 NO ESTADO DO MARANHÃO
Authors: Silva Janiel Conceição da , Sousa Giana Gislanne da Silva de , Oliveira Rayanne Alves de , Santos Lívia Fernanda Siqueira , Rolim Isaura Letícia Tavares Palmeira , Pascoal Lívia Maia , Bezerra Janaina Miranda , Santos Floriacy Stabnow , Costa Ana Cristina Pereira de Jesus , Santos Neto Marcelino
Published: January 2024

Objetivo: Descrever as características clínico-epidemiológicas e a autocorrelação espacial da COVID-19 no estado do Maranhão. Método: Trata-se de um estudo descritivo e ecológico, tendo como unidades ecológicas de análise os municípios do estado. Foram considerados todos os casos novos de COVID-19, registrados entre março de 2020 e janeiro de 2022, junto ao Sistema de Notificação da COVID-19 do Maranhão. As variáveis clínico-epidemiológicas foram analisadas por meio da estatística descritiva. Determinaram-se as taxas de incidência padronizadas pela idade por municípios do estado e a autocorrelação espacial foi verificada por meio dos índices de Moran global e local. Resultados: Foram registrados 386.567 casos, dos quais a maioria era do sexo feminino, raça/cor parda, idade de 30 a 39 anos, com critério de diagnóstico laboratorial, realizado em laboratório público, sem comorbidade e que não evoluíram para óbito. Observou-se autocorrelação espacial positiva das taxas de incidência na primeira e segunda onda da doença, sendo identificados clusters de alto risco, estatisticamente significantes, principalmente na região centro-sul do estado. Conclusão: Tais achados podem auxiliar a gestão, os sistemas e os serviços de saúde na implementação de medidas direcionadas à mitigação e ao controle da doença, subsidiando a redução de disparidades de saúde e desigualdades sociais no estado do Maranhão.
Segmentasi Pelanggan Penjualan Online Menggunakan Metode K-means Clustering
Authors: Ardana Candra Hafidz , Khoyum Adlian Aldita Alif Aisyah Ainur , Faisal Muhammad
Published: January 2024

Customer segmentation is an essential strategy in the online selling industry to understand customer preferences and behavior. This article proposes applying the K-means clustering method in online sales customer segmentation. The method used is the descriptive method. The steps of the research method include literature studies and data processing to be analyzed using the K-means clustering method. The K-means clustering method is then applied to customer data to group it based on relevant attributes. The segmentation results are evaluated and scored using the clustering evaluation metric. The main objective is to explain the use of the K-means clustering method in online sales customer segmentation, focusing on obtaining more profound insights into customer behavior. Efficient customer segmentation allows companies to target customer groups more precisely and efficiently. This article provides practical insights and guidance for e-commerce companies in implementing customer segmentation using K-means clustering to increase efficiency in targeting segmented customers.
Server Redundancy: Performa Jaringan Mengunakan DNS Failover MikroTik pada Kasus Private Server dan Public Server
Authors: Sandi Tommi Alfian Armawan , Firmansyah Firmansyah , Fauzi Ahmad
Published: January 2024

The digitization of user services has increased, in line with the need for VPS and cloud computing services, which are rampant among application and platform developers. Quite a few companies that create applications or application users have servers to handle user needs. Testing is carried out using the ICMP Protocol to get real-time results and can be measured. From Scenario 1, carrying out 20 test requests, we get a packet loss of 5% with RTT Avarage of 195,838ms and Mdev 4,103ms. If you apply DNS failover in scenario 2, the client will likely access the web a little slower, as evidenced by the packet loss being 25% greater in value. Compared to scenario 1, having a high standard deviation (Mdev) of round-trip times is not desirable. This variation is also known as jitter. Increased jitter can cause a bad user experience, especially in real-time audio and video streaming applications. However, this is still understandable because it only has a 1-5 second effect on the service. Next, in scenario 3, we can see that private and public servers have relatively high gab with 0% packet loss, which has a small Mdev value of 0.309ms. Therefore, the DNS failover method is a solution for network administrators who have problems related to server migration between public servers and private servers so that services can run even if a server is maintaining or downlinking.
Konsep Ittiḥād dalam Fabel Mantiq at-Ṭair: Pemikiran Tasawuf Falsafi Farīduddīn ‘Aṭār (1145-1221 M)
Authors: Muhammad Ihza Fazrian  , A.Anjasyah  , Sulistiyo
Published: January 2024

This article focuses on Farīduddīn ‘Aṭār 's philosophy of Sufism, namely the concept of ittihad. His thoughts on ittihad can be explored through his work in the form of a fable entitled Mantiq at-Ṭair (The Deliberation of Birds). The fable tells the story of birds that gather and deliberate to find their King named Simurgh. Everything contained in the work is a reflection of ‘Aṭār  's own Sufistic experience in seeking God which is retold through fables. In general, the concept of ittihad was initiated by Abu Yazid al-Bustami, ‘Aṭār   developed the concept through his work. Regarding the process of ittihad, in his work ‘Aṭār   tells the story of the seven valleys that birds must pass through in search of Simurgh; ṭalab (search), ‘isyq (love), ma'rifat (knowledge), istighnā (the absurdity of things around), tawhīd (unity), hīraṭ (confusion), and fana. The valleys are described as challenges that must be overcome by a Sufi who wants to find his God. The journey ends with the transience of the birds (Sufis) towards other than the Simurgh (God) to cause devotion to Him. This research uses descriptive-analytic method with data obtained from relevant literature sources to build structured and systematic findings. The findings in this article show that the concept of ittihad developed by ‘Aṭār   emphasizes the aspects of ‘isyq and fana to find God.
Hannah Arendt dan Konsep Politik Sebagai Ruang ‘Di-Antara’ Manusia: Refleksi untuk Konteks Indonesia
Authors: Koten Yosef Keladu
Published: January 2024

Artikel ini bertujuan untuk mengelaborasi pemahaman Hannah Arendt tentang politik sebagai ruang ‘di-antara’ manusia dan pengaruhnya pada upaya menciptakan model politik bermartabat. Lewat analisis kualitatif ditemukan bahwa bagi Arendt, politik bukanlah realisasi kodrat bawaan manusia, tetapi sesuatu yang diciptakan oleh manusia dan karena itu dia berada di luar atau ‘di-antara’ manusia. Ketika pluralitas manusia melakukan sesuatu atau bertindak secara bersama-sama, tercipta sebuah ruang publik politis di antara mereka dan ketika orang berkomunikasi satu sama lain sebagai pribadi yang bebas dan setara, tercipta sebuah jaringan relasi. Itu berarti, inti politik adalah tindakan dan pembicaraan. Kedua elemen ini, penulis beragumen, merupakan persyarat utama untuk sebuah politik bermartabat, yang dari perspektif Arendt, dapat diciptakan kalau ada pengakuan akan perbedaan di antara warga negara atau kelompok masyarakat dan adanya komunikasi konstan di antara warga negara. Terkait dengan pentingnya komunikasi, pada bagian akhir, akan ditunjukkan relevansi pemikiran Arendt dalam membaca fenomena oligarki, buzzer politik, dan pembungkaman suara-suara kritis lewat penerapan UU ITE di Indonesia.
Kepentingan China sebagai Aktor di Balik Rekonsiliasi Hubungan Arab Saudi dan Iran
Authors: Mustofa Ahmad Zainal
Published: January 2024

Tulisan ini menjelaskan tentang kepentingan China di Timur Tengah, khususnya terhadap Arab Saudi dan Iran. Tujuan artikel ini untuk memahami lebih dalam kepentingan apa yang melatarbelakangi China yang menjadikan dirinya sebagai mediator dalam rekonsiliasi hubungan antara Arab Saudi - Iran. Metode yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah deskriptif analitis, yaitu mendeskripsikan terlebih dahulu materi pembahasan dan kemudian dianalisis. Adapun teori yang digunakan adalah kepentingan nasional, yang terdiri dari kepentingan pertahanan, kepentingan ekonomi, kepentingan tatanan dunia, dan kepentingan ideologi. Penelitian ini menghasilkan kesimpulan bahwa pada kepentingan pertahanan, China memiliki kepentingan untuk memperkuat aliansi militer sekaligus penjualan senjata kepada Saudi-Iran. Pada kepentingan ekonomi, Saudi-Iran merupakan sumber utama penghasil minyak, gas dan energi serta lahan strategis untuk investasi bagi China. Dalam kepentingan tatanan dunia, menjalin kerja sama dengan Saudi-Iran tentu membuat eksistensi China di dunia internasional semakin besar. Terakhir, China membutuhkan dukungan Saudi-Iran dalam memerangi Uyghur yang merupakan kelompok Islam.
Taxonomic notes on two endemic species of Oberonia Lindl. from Western Ghats, India
Authors: Kiruthika K , Sulaiman M , Murugan C
Published: January 2024

The genus Oberonia is known for its micro floral arrangement. Due to its minute structure, excess of new species are reported. The present paper reveals the synonymization of two recently described species of the genus Oberonia viz. O. saintberchmansii and O. wynadensis under O. anamalayana and O. josephi respectively. The original illustration and live dissected images of the species are provided for easy identification.
Gemeinsam InTakt – mit Veeh-Harfen® die Welt der Musik entdecken
Authors: Schleyerbach Tanja Amal
Published: January 2024

Mit einem großen Bestand an Veeh-Harfen und Notenmappen können in der Stadtbibliothek Reutlingen für Menschen mit und ohne Assistenzbedarf Angebote zum gemeinsamen Musizieren und sich Vernetzen gemacht werden. Haupt- und ehrenamtliche Multiplikator/innen besuchen Seminare, um das Instrument bei ihrer Arbeit einsetzen zu können. Instrumente und Noten können von Einzelpersonen oder sozialen Einrichtungen entliehen werden.
Right node raising in Mandarin Chinese: are we moving right?
Authors: Wang Yuyun
Published: January 2024

This article discusses the right node raising construction in Chinese (henceforth the RNR). It aims to provide a novel analysis that can deal with two new observations made in the Chinese RNR construction, including the tone sandhi phenomenon, which provides clues to the syntax of RNR from syntax-prosody mapping, and a syntactic constraint that only arguments, but not adjuncts, may qualify as an RNR target. Based on these new observations, I show that none of the previous analyses of the RNR (mainly in English) are fully adequate in accounting for the RNR in Chinese. An alternative analysis is pursued here. Given the syntactic and syntax-prosodic properties, I propose to analyze the gaps within the coordinated structure in Chinese Right-Node Raising (RNR) by exploring the notion of an empty noun, along with the concept of the True Empty Category. In the RNR construction, the coordinated structure undergoes leftward movement over the RNR target, which is driven by considerations of information structure. As a result, this induces an illusion of rightward movement on the surface.
Activism and Authority
Authors: Szijarto Sydney
Published: January 2024

This paper investigates two AIDS activist organizations: the AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power (ACT UP) in the United States, and the Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) in South Africa, and their relationships to both pharmaceutical companies and their own governments. While both organizations set themselves in direct opposition to pharmaceutical companies, relationships with their respective governments differed dramatically. TAC, while very critical of its government, ultimately won its battles, and then devoted its energy to helping the government implement the new policy as effectively as possible; in contrast, ACT UP perceived itself to be in direct opposition to the American government and refused to show it any support. In this paper, I will argue that this dichotomy was in part defined by a divergent faith in the democratic processes which upheld the American and South African government. The TAC believed in the ability of South Africans to elect a representative government; ACT UP did not have the same confidence in Americans. TAC therefore perceived its government as an ally, while to ACT UP, the American government would always be an enemy.
Power Analyzed Through the Economy: A Primate Perspective
Authors: Brown Ella
Published: January 2024

This study utilizes primate economies and power structures to explore Foucault’s suggestion that the analysis of power can in all ways be deduced from the economy. The paper focuses on two of Foucault’s conceptions of power, the juridical and the Marxist. The juridical conception of power figures power as a commodity. The Marxist conception of power sees power as a mechanism which serves to perpetuate class domination and maintain production relations. First, the juridical conception of power is explored, and it is found that primate power is modeled on the commodity during peaceful transactions of power however, when force is utilized, the model of power enters a war-repression schema which models power as a relationship of force. The Marxist conception of power is also found within the primate power structure as power-facilitated access to food and territory acts to perpetuate class dominance within the primate group. Sex represents an intersection between the two conceptions of power as it is a productive force that produced more kin which then allows power to be passed onto the next of kin where power acts as a commodity. The juridical and Marxist conceptions of power are viewed as legitimate ways of analyzing power within primate groups, however, they fail to provide a holistic view of power, so it is concluded that the analysis of power cannot be entirely deduced from the economy.
News as a Big Business: CanWest Global’s Newspaper Ownership
Authors: Bennett Krista
Published: January 2024

Canada’s newspaper industry has experienced increasingly concentrated ownership within the last few decades. News sources’ profit-orientation and need for advertisers to generate revenue has streamlined the political views embedded in journalism. Simultaneously, newspaper readers are embracing the medium as a trustworthy source. Edward Herman and Noam Chomsky offer an effective theoretical framework, the “Propaganda Model,” through which the state of Canadian newspapers can be examined. CanWest Global Communications’ current national newspaper ownership presents a case study which exemplifies Herman and Chomsky’s concerns. Viewing this company’s newspaper holdings through the perspective of the Propaganda Model should alert Canadians to the biases inherent in the news they consume. Efforts to limit or abolish monopolization of news producers in the country lie predominantly in the hands of independent lobbyists, as the views expressed by capitalist news owners often complement the interests of Canada’s dominant political leadership parties. Readers must take it upon themselves to become news savvy, critical and aware.
Social Movements and the News Media
Authors: Phipps Katherine , Szagala Katryna
Published: January 2024

This paper analyzes the paradoxical relationship that exists between social movements and the news media. The concept of framing is explored, particularly the ways in which social movements come to be contextually framed within the news media and the consequent impact on the social movement itself. In order to gain an understanding of the relationship between social movements and the news media, several literary frameworks were discussed. In studying thisphenomenon, coverage from an anti-poverty demonstration that took place on June 15, 2000 at Queen's Park in Toronto was utilized as a comparative case study. To gain a broader understanding of the ways in which the news media frame social movements, the coverage used was split between two popular news sources: the Toronto Star and the Globe and Mail. These sources were chosen due to their politically opposing orientations, and were analyzed at the level of both content analysis and discursive interpretation. The interpreted data reinforced central hypotheses concerning the political biases of the respective news sources, yet some discrepancies were noted. On the whole, it was found that the subjective framing of social movements within the news media often serve to impede or undermine the intents of the organizations.
Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development in Ontario: A look at the Current Policy Frameworks and Discourses Surrounding Sustainable Energy and Wind and Solar Power in Major Ontario Newspapers
Authors: Harper Morgan
Published: January 2024

Over thirty years ago we celebrated the first Earth Day, which has since marked the preservation and restoration of the environment. Ironi-cally, since this re-dedication to environmentalism and renewed spirit in learning from the past we have worked to increase carbon emissions, oil consumption, natural gas, and coal extraction. Our “ecological footprint” has nearly tripled as a result of the growth of the global motor vehicle population, human carbon emissions and, of course, greenhouse gases and their partner global warming. The problem is not going to go away, and finding Canada’s place within the policy paradigm of sustainable development and environmental awareness will not be easy. Juxtaposed against a divided federalist state, environmental policy falls under the jurisdiction of the provincial government in this country, making it in-creasingly hard to adopt a policy framework that not only works, but works consistently across this country’s political, social and economic landscapes.
Reality Television and the Promotion of Weight Loss: A Canadian Case
Authors: Blaszkiewicz Zuzanna
Published: January 2024

One of the most popular themes associated with reality television is the ‘make-over show’, and its usefulness for advertising is evident; it not only promotes the ideology of beauty and thinness, but also of consumption. Scholar Eileen Saunders sums up the link between ide-ologies of beauty and consumption quite concisely: “in order to motivate consumers to buy beauty products, there needs to be some assurance of transformation offered” (2008:114). More specifically, the bulk of make-over based reality programming has shifted to achieving weight-loss goals that reflect the beauty signifier of thinness. With the so-called ‘obesity epidemic’ affecting Americans across the country, programs such as The Biggest Loser claim to promote a ‘healthy lifestyle’ that will help participants obtain a beautiful body. Unfortunately, this healthy lifestyle is really only an extreme and temporary ‘quick fix’ to a serious problem. Research done on the implications of consumerism that this particular program can have on the audience concludes that, most notably, it promotes the consumption of certain products in order to achieve and maintain a ‘healthy’ (or socially acceptable) weight. What has not been researched, however, is the extent to which the same notions appear on Canadian television.
The Paradox of Public Relations/Communications Management Education in Canada: Taught But Not Studied
Authors: Flynn Terence , Sévigny Alexandre
Published: January 2024

The authors describe the history of the study of public relations/ communication management in Canada. Focus is placed on the lack of empirical research concerning the function and practice of professional communication in Canada. The authors also discuss the dangers this lack of evidence poses to the constructing of an effective critical literature surrounding the social, cultural and economic impact that public relations/communication management is having in Canada. The authors draw comparisons to three other fields: journalism, communication studies and cultural studies, all of which have faced a similar evolution emerging from practice to theory. Finally, the authors discuss innovative new undergraduate and graduate programs developed at McMaster to address the dearth of empirical investigation of public relations/communication management in Canada.
Heeding the Warning Signs: Investigating Crisis Communications at Trent University in the Aftermath of Virginia Tech
Authors: Cadence Brittany
Published: January 2024

Using the case study model, the effects of an American tragedy on the communications planning and overall crisis mindset of a Canadian university are examined. The goal of this case study was to assess how Trent University in Peterborough, Ontario was impacted by the events that unfolded at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia, where a lone gunman shot and killed 32 students and staff before taking his own life. Four administrative leaders at Trent were interviewed and existing crisis planning documents were analyzed. The results revealed that a parallel crisis can have a substantial impact on an organization’s crisis mindset in the months immediately following the event. The effect of Virginia Tech on Trent resulted in: new lessons learned by senior administrative staff; a heightened awareness on the campus of risk factors; and enhancement of the university's crisis plan.
Crisis Communications: Challenges faced by Remote and Rural Communities in North Eastern Ontario
Authors: Morris Kim T..
Published: January 2024

Factors such as remoteness, distances, low density of population, technological challenges and weather all impact the implementation of crisis communication plans in rural and remote communities. The organization studied experiences those challenges. It is a large, decentralized health care organization in north eastern Ontario that provides health care services to people who live in 42 per cent of the province's geographic area. Staff members of the organization were asked what they think are the most effective communications tools to utilize in a crisis. They agreed that the tools must be adaptable and that creative systems must be put in place not only to recognize the challenges, but to successfully overcome them. The research found that traditional, tried and tested conventional communication methods and direct human interaction are preferred, and are more effective than more modern, technology-based tools.
The Relationship between Public Relations and Marketing in the Nonprofit Sector: The Case of Hamilton Health Sciences and Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation
Authors: Pullen Heather
Published: January 2024

This case study examines, from the perspective of the non-profit sector, the long-standing turf war between public relations and marketing. The researcher evaluated perceptions about different functional roles and organizational models in the relationship between (1) public relations practitioners working for a large health care organization in Ontario, and (2) marketing staff working for a separate and distinct foundation that raises money for the health care organization. Interviews with three key leaders were conducted and both archival records and relevant documents were reviewed. The results showed that while tension is felt and disagreements occur, leaders from both groups agreed that compromise and cooperation are vital to the organization's success. The CEO of the health care organization believed that the best way to avoid or at least minimize rivalries is to have controls in place to manage their relationship – controls such as formal charters.
Assessing Reputation Management, Internal Communications and Perceptions in Oakville, Ontario
Authors: Villegas Natalia
Published: January 2024

Improving internal communications will enable organizations to achieve positive perceptions from employees. Better reputation and financial performance will follow afterwards. This is possible by working with strategic communicators and reputation managers to meet interests and gain harmony of internal values. This research sought to understand from the executive perspective how communications and public relations professionals can support management to improve performance. Internal reputation requires several factors in order to maintain better relationships with employees. Authenticity, diversity/cultural differences, and employees’ needs were taken into consideration as the key factors. The researcher also explored best practices in employee communications by reviewing existing literature and asking managers to share their experiences.
Houses that Cry: Online Civic Participation in Post-Communist Romania
Authors: Visan Laura C.
Published: January 2024

This essay explores the role of online communities and cyber-activism in fostering ‘real-life’ participation. It begins by revisiting a topic of controversy among citizenship studies scholars: the erosion vs. the expansion of citizenship and active participation instances in the past three decades. Arguably, participation in online communities is one of the most notable instances of reinventing active citizenship. While sceptics view the Internet and social capital as a contradiction in terms and deplore the waning of traditional communities, supporters of online participation emphasize the potential of the Internet to bring together people who would have otherwise never met in support of a cause. The second half of the essay will demonstrate that, in some cases, the actions of protest undertaken by online communities turn into “acts of citizenship” by challenging habitus, power and regulations (Isin, 2008). It will discuss the activity of Houses that Cry, a project created by architecture students in Bucharest in order to protect the architectural patrimony of the city. Their initiative can be considered an act of citizenship for two reasons: first, they shifted online protests from blogs and forums to the street, community and the media. Second, they transformed the protection of endangered historical buildings into a matter of public interest.
‘That Worries Me’: Affective and Rhetorical Framing in News Programming of The O’Reilly Factor
Authors: Jakob Joey B.
Published: January 2024

It is a political impossibility for the public sphere to be a place of neutral affect. With news media as a tool for political communication and its existence in the public sphere, there is a contradiction between its ability to be objective and its use of emotional language. This study uses an interview between Bill O’Reilly and Donald Rumsfeld on The O’Reilly Factor to illustrate how affective rhetoric is used to reinforce the value of coercive interrogation. Drawing from a methodology of affective and rhetorical framing, the language used during the interview – both verbal and bodily – is analyzed for goals, techniques, and effectiveness. Relying upon O’Reilly’s partisan audience, The O’Reilly Factor frames coercive interrogation as necessary, without the use of adequate logic. To this end, this paper illustrates how the news media pre-mediate and reinforce a public that accepts coercive interrogation by justifying anxiety about national security.
Enhancement of Haloperidol-Induced Catalepsy by GPR143, an L-Dopa Receptor, in Striatal Cholinergic Interneurons
Authors: Arai Masami , Suzuki Etsuko , Kitamura Satoshi , Otaki Momoyo , Kanai Kaori , Yamasaki Miwako , Watanabe Masahiko , Kambe Yuki , Murata Koshi , Takada Yuuki , Arisawa Tetsu , Kobayashi Kenta , Tajika Rei , Miyazaki Tomoyuki , Yamaguchi Masahiro , Lazarus Michael , Hayashi Yu , Itohara Shigeyoshi , de Kerchove d’Exaerde Alban , Nawa Hiroyuki , Kim Ryang , Bito Haruhiko , Momiyama Toshihiko , Masukawa Daiki , Goshima Yoshio
Published: January 2024

Dopamine neurons play crucial roles in pleasure, reward, memory, learning, and fine motor skills and their dysfunction is associated with various neuropsychiatric diseases. Dopamine receptors are the main target of treatment for neurologic and psychiatric disorders. Antipsychotics that antagonize the dopamine D2 receptor (DRD2) are used to alleviate the symptoms of these disorders but may also sometimes cause disabling side effects such as parkinsonism (catalepsy in rodents). Here we show that GPR143, a G-protein-coupled receptor for L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA), expressed in striatal cholinergic interneurons enhances the DRD2-mediated side effects of haloperidol, an antipsychotic agent. Haloperidol-induced catalepsy was attenuated in maleGpr143 gene-deficient (Gpr143−/y) mice compared with wild-type (Wt) mice. Reducing the endogenous release of L-DOPA and preventing interactions between GPR143 and DRD2 suppressed the haloperidol-induced catalepsy in Wt mice but notGpr143−/ymice. The phenotypic defect inGpr143−/ymice was mimicked in cholinergic interneuron-specificGpr143−/y(Chat-cre;Gpr143flox/y) mice. Administration of haloperidol increased the phosphorylation of ribosomal protein S6 at Ser240/244in the dorsolateral striatum of Wt mice but notChat-cre;Gpr143flox/ymice. In Chinese hamster ovary cells stably expressing DRD2, co-expression of GPR143 increased cell surface expression level of DRD2, and L-DOPA application further enhanced the DRD2 surface expression. Shorter pauses in cholinergic interneuron firing activity were observed after intrastriatal stimulation in striatal slice preparations fromChat-cre;Gpr143flox/ymice compared with those from Wt mice. Together, these findings provide evidence that GPR143 regulates DRD2 function in cholinergic interneurons and may be involved in parkinsonism induced by antipsychotic drugs.
Лексико-семантичнi засоби вираження вербальної агресiї в соцiальнiй мережi Facebook
Authors:   Одеський нацiональний унiверситет iменi I. I. Мечникова Фiлологiчний факультет, Кафедра прикладної лiнгвiстики, Малишева Марiя
Published: January 2024

The paper is devoted to the study of verbal aggression realised in online discourse. The aim of the study is to fix and describe lexical-semantic means of expressing verbal aggression in modern Ukrainian-language online discourse, namely in the social network Facebook. The main method of the study is the functional method, in particular, component, linguistic, linguistic and pragmatic analyses were applied. According to the results of the analysis, the lexico-semantic means of expressing verbal aggression are considered from two perspectives: pragmatically (invectives and obscene vocabulary and dysphemisms) and formally (stable expressions, neologisms and ocasional transformations of anthroponyms). These markers become manifestations of verbal aggression if they are used with the purpose of inflicting non-physical harm to the person at whom the aggression is directed.
L’intentionnalité dans le discours publicitaire des produits dits écologiques
Authors:   Uniwersytet Warszawski, Instytut Lingwistyki Stosowanej, Zakład Semiotyki, Martinez Christine
Published: January 2024

The intention of persuasion in advertising discourse is obvious. This article proposes an analysis of brand names, product names and slogans in a very trendy field – cosmetics and ecological, or so-called ecological products. Persuasive intentions such as positioning, making believe and making do are presented therein and used to provoke a desire and fill a need. The components will be analysed according to the research of linguists such as Charaudeau, Navarro Domínguez, Pachocińska, Prak-Derrington, and Searle. The expected results will prove that intention uses not only psychological but also linguistic manipulations in order to attract consumers.
Обращение к группе людей – дидактический аспект
Authors:   Uniwersytet Rzeszowski, Instytut Neofilologii, Katedra Rusycystyki, Rudyk Anna
Published: January 2024

The aim of this article is to present the addressative phrase as an important element of linguistic etiquette. A method of observation has been applied, consisting in the analysis of addressatives addressed to a group of people in a specific context – the factual material includes fragments of contemporary Polish prose and its translation into Russian, as well as examples in Russian taken from an Internet corpus. The study showed that addressative phrases are not only an important component of etiquette, but also linguistic exponents of interpersonal relations, which is why special attention should be paid to them during foreign language lessons in order to properly shape learners’ communicative competence.
Distance Learning For Military Doctors in Crisis Situations: The DILEMMA Cross-Sectional Study Results
Authors: Sydorova Nataliia , Savytskyi Valerii , Kuts Taras
Published: January 2024

Distance learning for medical personnel, although convenient in times of crisis (pandemics, military operations), can be a problem in terms of the limited practical component of such training. The goal of presented Survey on DIstance LEarning for students of the Ukrainian Military Medical Academy (DILEMMA) was to optimize the educational process for doctors studying at the Ukrainian Military Medical Academy (UMMA) based on the results of students’ survey dedicated to implemented forms of online teaching. Methods: The data presented reflect the results of 147 trainees’ survey dedicated to their satisfaction and ways to improve distance learning component of training/retraining at UMMA during such crisis situations as pandemics and hostilities. Primary and secondary endpoints were analyzed for groups of interns (DILEMMA-1, n=78) and physicians with practical experience participating in postgraduate activities at UMMA (DILEMMA-2, n=69). Results. The overall evaluations of distance learning as measured by a 10-point scale (primary endpoint) were 5.9±3.3 for DILEMMA-1 and 6.5±3.3 for DILEMMA-2 (p=0.27), which indicates a moderate overall evaluation. The proportion of satisfied and very satisfied students was smaller in the DILEMMA-1 group compared to DILEMMA-2 but remained quite high (76.9% vs. 92.8%, respectively, p<0.05). Respondents of the DILEMMA-1 and DILEMMA-2 arms gave different answers to the questions related to their preferred forms of online education, mode, and schedule. In particular, representatives of the DILEMMA-2 arm mostly prefer to have their online classes after 3:00 p.m. (67.5%) with duration for about 2 hours (56.5%), while most participants in DILEMMA-1 arm (73.1%) choose time interval from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and 62.8% consider the optimal duration to be 3–4 hours of online classes per day. According to results of survey, optimization of distance learning component was made at UMMA. Conclusions. Differences in the perception of distance learning between interns and doctors with practical experience necessitate a differentiated approach to the implementation of distance learning for these groups of students. In addition, the special categories of respondents among students were identified by us, which lead to the destructuring of the response matrix and the nonparametric nature of some data, dictate the need to censor extremely negative (“denialists”) and extremely positive (“pleasers”) respondents when assessing the quality of teaching by anonymous survey of students, and therefore the size of the initial sample depending on contingent should be increased by 16–25%.
Servant Leadership Competencies Development Challenges for Middle Managers in the Organisation
Authors: Supranavičienė Ugnė , Gedvilienė Genutė
Published: January 2024

The perception and identification of leadership are continuously being researched. However, in recent times the need for leadership has become more apparent in organisations of all kinds. The everyday reality of the present day is forcing us to rethink all the truths and theories of leadership that have been defended so far. This paper aims to reveal the challenges of middle managers in organisation towards servant leadership competencies development. A qualitative research design was used to explore the competencies of middle managers. Data was collected from seven middle managers in one of the Lithuanian Railways organisation LTG Link. These managers participated in three competency development assessments (self-confidence, emotional intelligence and leadership assessments), following focus group discussion where they were reflected on leadership concepts in the organisation, how they perceive themselves in the organisation, how they recognise servant leadership competencies and what challenges are facing in order to bring servant leadership as a dominant leadership style in the organisation. Managers were asked to reflect in three competency development layers: the reflection of middle managers’ understanding of leadership and management; understanding of the relationships between middle managers and subordinates; and understanding of relationships between middle managers and their management. According to the research findings, there are challenges in all the layers for middle managers to develop servant leadership competencies. Current leadership conception in the organisation is focused on a manager-centric approach, where the main focus is on the manager not the subordinate, in the servant leadership concept there is an employee-centric approach. The organisation’s processes and procedures are constructed to control and constrain the decision-making of middle managers. There is no working competency development and support system in the organisation to guide middle managers to become servant leaders, this leads to a nonunified leadership competency concept in the organisation, where middle managers bring their own understanding without any background. Furthermore, the hierarchical organisational structure limits the motivation of middle managers to develop their servant leadership competencies.