bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Miniaturized optical system for high-precision mobile atomic gravimeters
Authors: Zhu Haoran , Huang Panwei , Gao Bin , Tang Biao , Chen Xi , Zhong Jiaqi , Wang Jin , Zhan Mingsheng
Published: June 2024

Inertial sensors utilizing cold atom interferometry are advancing toward real-world applications, necessitating optical systems with superior integration and stability. We have developed a highly integrated and stable optical system for a fountain-type 85Rb atom gravimeter, utilizing dual fiber laser outputs to generate all the laser beams. The optical system design involves bonding miniaturized optical components onto quartz glass plates, significantly reducing the volume of the optical module while maintaining high spatial laser utilization efficiency. This enables the system to be integrated into a chassis with the dimension of 43 cm × 42 cm × 13 cm. Remarkably, the system maintains its functionality without the need for adjustments even after being transported over 14,000 km. It achieves a gravity measurement sensitivity of 14.5 µGal/Hz1/2 and a long-term stability of 0.4 µGal over 2560 seconds. This versatile optical system also supports various atom interferometry-based sensors, facilitating their deployment in practical settings.
Complex phase modulation of liquid crystal devices with deep learning
Authors: Chen Qian , Ding Weiping , Jiang Feng , Lu Jiangang
Published: June 2024

A deep learning-based phase modulation method for liquid crystal (LC) devices was demonstrated. For LC devices with a single-electrode structure, achieving complex phase distributions is highly challenging. Meanwhile, multi-electrode LC devices, as pixel resolution increases and electrode size decreases, encounter issues of cumbersome modulation steps and reduced modulation accuracy during the phase modulation process. This method uses the concept of field to modulate the phase of the LC device, providing an effective phase modulation scheme. By establishing a deep learning model, it maps the phase retardation distribution of LC devices onto the electric field distribution. This method effectively mitigates the phase modulation issues arising from the fringe field effect, enabling an accurate and precise phase modulation distribution.
Career sacrifice for an LGBTQ*-friendly work environment? a choice experiment to investigate the job preferences of LGBTQ* people
Authors: Zindel Zaza , de Vries Lisa
Published: June 2024

Recent research in economics and sociology demonstrates the existence of significant occupational segregation by sexual orientation and gender identity and differences in a range of labor market outcomes, such as hiring chances, earnings, and leadership positions. In this paper, we examine one possible cause of these differences that is associated with the disadvantaged position of sexual and gender minorities in the labor market: LGBTQ* individuals’ choices aimed at avoiding possible discrimination. This paper examines LGBTQ* people’s relative importance of income, time, promotion prospects, an LGBTQ*-friendly work environment, and diversity management in the decision for or against a job. Based on a discrete choice experiment conducted in a large online sample recruited through social media in Germany (N = 4,507), an LGBTQ*-friendly work climate accounted, on average, for 33.8 percent of respondents’ decisions which is comparable with the relative importance of income. Overtime, a diversity management on company level and promotion prospects are less important in the job decision process of LGBTQ* people. While the results show only small differences by sexual orientation, they show group-specific preferences by gender identity. An LGBTQ*-friendly work climate is more important for cisgender women of the LGBTQ* community and gender minorities than for cisgender men of the LGBTQ* community. In contrast, income is less important for gender minorities and cisgender women of the LGBTQ* community than for cisgender men of the LGBTQ* community.
Visualising quantum innovation: A regional case study
Authors: Jiménez Farías O. , Demergasso Arnau , Vaziri Maryam , Vives Rodón Sergi , Canessa Nelly , Phillips Eoín
Published: June 2024

At the beginning of this century, the advent of a second generation of ‘quantum technologies’ was announced together with its revolutionary potential to change existing information technologies. Despite the rapidly increasing paid to quantum technological development, there has been little attention paid to the specific characteristics or relationships within emerging quantum ecosystems. The aim of this study is to visualize the innovation structures and relationships that are emerging to shape these technological developments. As these structures typically depend on specific regional features, we have specifically focused on the Spanish case, as it is potentially indicative of the differences between European innovation models and other regional patterns. This objective was achieved by researching the funding network of the ecosystem, collected from a systematic review of various official sources and relevant previous literature. The resulting dataset was framed using the Innovation Ecosystem model and broken down through network analysis theory, as well as characterized through descriptive statistics. This framework identified the significant role that projects play in European scientific and technological innovation, which work as hubs to concentrate resources and incentive cooperation between actors. This is relevant because current work on quantum technologies neglects their importance, as their analysis focuses on the quantity of institutions rather than their relations. Moreover, this paper points out the prominence of public funding to drive quantum innovation, largely stemming from the European Commission. This is another key mechanism that is missed by the existing literature. Finally, it also sheds light on the recipients of this funding, who are mostly research centres. These results allow us to conceptualize the Spanish quantum ecosystem and offer the opportunity for comparative studies with other quantum technologies ecosystems.
Trilobatin ameliorates dextran sulfate sodium-induced ulcerative colitis in mice via the NF-κB pathway and alterations in gut microbiota
Authors: Wang Nanbo , Li Zhaohui , Cao Lingling , Cui Zhihua
Published: June 2024

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of trilobatin (TLB) on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis (UC) in mice and further explore the underlying mechanisms from the perspectives of signaling pathway and gut microbiota.

Methods

A mouse model of UC was established using DSS. Trilobatin was administered via oral gavage. Disease severity was assessed based on body weight, disease activity index (DAI), colon length, histological detection, inflammation markers, and colonic mucosal barrier damage. Alternations in the NF-κB and PI3K/Akt pathways were detected by marker proteins. High-throughput 16S rRNA sequencing was performed to investigate the gut microbiota of mice.

Results

In the DSS-induced UC mice, TLB (30 μg/g) treatment significantly increased the body weight, reduced the DAI score, alleviated colon length shortening, improved histopathological changes in colon tissue, inhibited the secretion and expression of inflammation factors (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6), and increased the expression of tight-junction proteins (ZO-1 and occludin). Furthermore, TLB (30 μg/g) treatment significantly suppressed the activation of NF-κB pathway and altered the composition and diversity of the gut microbiota, as observed in the variations of the relative abundances of Proteobacteria, Actinobacteriota, and Bacteroidota, in UC mice.

Conclusion

TLB effectively alleviates DSS-induced UC in mice. Regulation of the NF-κB pathway and gut microbiota contributes to TLB-mediated therapeutic effects. Our study not only identified a novel drug candidate for the treatment of UC, but also enhanced our understanding of the biological functions of TLB.
COVID-19 induced changes to news gathering and news production: Practical experiences from five Ghanaian newsrooms
Authors: Asuman Manfred A. K. , Nutsugah Noel , Buatsi Redeemer , Peculiar Theophilus
Published: June 2024

This study, grounded in Kurt Lewin’s theory of change management, investigates how the COVID-19 pandemic influenced change in the news gathering and news production process in five newsrooms in Ghana. Through semi-structured in-depth interviews, our study proves that the social restrictions that were introduced due to the COVID-19 pandemic forced Ghanaian newsrooms to introduce certain measures, including work-from-home policies, a strategy that had never been explored prior to the pandemic. Our study further reveals that, whereas male journalists were usually given tasks that were considered dangerous, such as reporting from the morgue and intensive care units of hospitals, female journalists were usually assigned news conferences and tasked to conduct interviews with various stakeholders, a gender perspective to news gathering during the pandemic which has never been reported. Based on these and other findings, we argue that the COVID-19 pandemic did indeed drive change in how journalists gather and produce news.
Monoclonal whole IgG impairs both fibrin and thrombin formation: hemostasis and surface plasmon resonance studies
Authors: Gonda Lénárd , Torner Bernadett , Ghansah Harriet , Beke Debreceni Ildikó , Váróczy László , Pénzes-Daku Krisztina , Kappelmayer János
Published: June 2024

Objectives

Monoclonal gammopathies frequently associate with hemostatic alterations. Thrombotic events occur with high incidence particularly upon treatment, while in rarer cases hemorrhagic diathesis can be observed. The pathology of these tendencies could be caused by thrombocytopenia or hyperviscosity burden of circulating monoclonal antibodies. Studies also suggest interference of monoclonal antibodies with primary hemostasis. We isolated monoclonal whole IgG paraproteins from two myeloma patients to observe their effect on thrombin formation and fibrin polymerization.

Methods

Monoclonal whole IgG was prepared from sera of two newly diagnosed untreated multiple myeloma patients and control normal plasma samples. Fibrin formation was measured using thrombin time and dilute prothrombin time tests and thrombin formation was detected with a fluorimetric thrombin generation assay. In addition, molecular interactions were investigated by surface plasmon resonance (SPR).

Results

Thrombin time was prolonged upon addition of monoclonal IgG even at 30 g/L by 12 %, increasing up to 36 % at 60 g/L concentration. Dilute prothrombin time was prolonged by 20 % even at 30 g/L. Thrombin generation assay indicated an impairment in thrombin formation at the presence of monoclonal IgG compared to polyclonal at equivalent concentration. By an SPR assay we determined that both clonality IgG preparations interacted with fibrinogen, however interaction with human thrombin was only detected with monoclonal immunoglobulins (KD=1.03 × 10-7 M).

Conclusions

Here we provide evidence that isolated monoclonal whole IgG from myeloma patients can impair both fibrin and thrombin formation and we demonstrate by SPR assay that it interacts with components of the final phase of the coagulation system.
An interpretable cluster-based logistic regression model, with application to the characterization of response to therapy in severe eosinophilic asthma
Authors: Bilancia Massimo , Nigri Andrea , Cafarelli Barbara , Di Bona Danilo
Published: June 2024

Asthma is a disease characterized by chronic airway hyperresponsiveness and inflammation, with signs of variable airflow limitation and impaired lung function leading to respiratory symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest tightness and cough. Eosinophilic asthma is a distinct phenotype that affects more than half of patients diagnosed with severe asthma. It can be effectively treated with monoclonal antibodies targeting specific immunological signaling pathways that fuel the inflammation underlying the disease, particularly Interleukin-5 (IL-5), a cytokine that plays a crucial role in asthma. In this study, we propose a data analysis pipeline aimed at identifying subphenotypes of severe eosinophilic asthma in relation to response to therapy at follow-up, which could have great potential for use in routine clinical practice. Once an optimal partition of patients into subphenotypes has been determined, the labels indicating the group to which each patient has been assigned are used in a novel way. For each input variable in a specialized logistic regression model, a clusterwise effect on response to therapy is determined by an appropriate interaction term between the input variable under consideration and the cluster label. We show that the clusterwise odds ratios can be meaningfully interpreted conditional on the cluster label. In this way, we can define an effect measure for the response variable for each input variable in each of the groups identified by the clustering algorithm, which is not possible in standard logistic regression because the effect of the reference class is aliased with the overall intercept. The interpretability of the model is enforced by promoting sparsity, a goal achieved by learning interactions in a hierarchical manner using a special group-Lasso technique. In addition, valid expressions are provided for computing odds ratios in the unusual parameterization used by the sparsity-promoting algorithm. We show how to apply the proposed data analysis pipeline to the problem of sub-phenotyping asthma patients also in terms of quality of response to therapy with monoclonal antibodies.
Leader-following consensus tracking control for fractional-order multi-motor systems via disturbance-observer
Authors: Cao Hui , Liu Chuang , Lopes António M. , Gu Panpan , Zhang Youwen
Published: June 2024

The leader-following consensus tracking control of fractional-order (FO) multi-motor systems (FOMMSs) in the presence of exogenous disturbances is investigated. It is widely recognized that FO models are better than integer-order (IO) ones for representing systems with memory effects. Therefore, studying the consensus tracking control of FOMMSs is essential. In this paper, a consensus tracking protocol is developed using a disturbance-observer and state feedback to deal with unknown exogenous disturbances. The closed-loop system stability is analyzed via Lyapunov and graph theory. Novel sufficient conditions for the stabilization of each motor are derived in the form of linear matrix inequalities. Simulation results illustrate the validity and efficacy of the proposed consensus protocol, namely its strong synchronization ability and robustness.
Treatment of advanced BP-NETS with lanreotide autogel/depot vs placebo: the phase III SPINET study
Authors: Baudin E , Capdevila J , Hörsch D , Singh S , Caplin M E , Wolin E M , Buikhuisen W , Raderer M , Dansin E , Grohe C , Ferone D , Houchard A , Truong-Thanh X-M , Reidy-Lagunes D , _ _
Published: June 2024

Prospective data are lacking on early somatostatin analog (SSA) therapy in bronchopulmonary neuroendocrine tumors (BP-NETs; typical carcinoids and atypical carcinoids (TCs and ACs)). SPINET (EudraCT: 2015-004992-62; NCT02683941) was a phase III, double-blind study of lanreotide autogel/depot (LAN; 120 mg every 28 days) plus best supportive care (BSC) vs placebo plus BSC, with an optional open-label treatment phase (LAN plus BSC). Patients had metastatic/unresectable, somatostatin receptor (SSTR)-positive TCs or ACs. Recruitment was stopped early owing to slow accrual; eligible patients from the double-blind phase transitioned to open-label LAN. The adapted primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS) during either phase for patients receiving LAN. Seventy-seven patients were randomized (LAN, n = 51 (TCs, n = 29; ACs, n = 22); placebo, n = 26 (TCs, n = 16; ACs, n = 10)). Median (95% CI) PFS during double-blind and open-label phases in patients receiving LAN was 16.6 (11.3; 21.9) months overall (primary endpoint), 21.9 (12.8, not calculable (NC)) months in TCs, and 13.8 (5.4; 16.6) months in ACs. During double-blind treatment, median (95% CI) PFS was 16.6 (11.3; 21.9) months for LAN vs 13.6 (8.3; NC) months for placebo (not significant); corresponding values were 21.9 (13.8; NC) and 13.9 (13.4; NC) months, respectively, in TCs and 13.8 (5.4; 16.6) and 11.0 (2.8; 16.9) months, respectively, in ACs. Patients’ quality of life did not deteriorate and LAN was well tolerated. Although recruitment stopped early and the predefined sample size was not met, SPINET is the largest prospective study to date of SSA therapy in SSTR-positive TCs and ACs and suggests clinical benefit in TCs.
Bidirectional crosstalk between bone and muscle: the role of RANKL pathway in osteosarcopenia
Authors: Jang Soo Yeon , Choi Kyung Mook
Published: June 2024

Osteosarcopenia, which refers to the concomitant presence of osteoporosis and sarcopenia, is expected to increase in the rapidly progressive aging world, with serious clinical implications. However, the pathophysiology of osteosarcopenia has not been fully elucidated, and no optimal treatment specific to osteosarcopenia is available. The RANKL–RANK pathway is widely used as a therapeutic target for osteoporosis. Growing evidence supports the importance of the RANKL–RANK pathway, not only in bone, but also in muscle, and the therapeutic potential of targeting this pathway in muscle diseases has been noted. The muscles and bones closely communicate with each other through various secretory factors called myokines and osteokines. This review covers the roles of the RANKL–RANK pathway in the bone and muscle and their reciprocal interactions. Moreover, we will suggest future directions to move forward for the treatment of osteosarcopenia to prepare for an upcoming aging society.
Review of Information Literacy Through Theory
Authors:   Georgia Southern University, Bynoe Vivian
Published: June 2024

Book Review
Determinação do fator de correlação quanto a resistência à compressão axial entre blocos de concreto e amostras extraídas dos blocos
Authors: Fortunato Lívia Regueira , Parsekian Guilherme Aris , Neves Junior Alex
Published: June 2024

RESUMO O artigo traz resultados de análise de blocos produzidos em indústria por meio de máquina hidráulica vibro – prensa e de amostras extraídas do próprio bloco, logo com mesmo traço e processo de vibração/compactação. Os blocos e amostras foram submetidos à ensaios de resistência à compressão axial e os resultados foram correlacionados. Tal fato é inédito na literatura, pois empregou-se blocos fabricados em indústria e amostras cortadas do próprio bloco para as análises. Ao correlacionar os valores de resistência à compressão dos blocos BR4 e BR 16 e suas respectivas amostras aos 02, 07 e 28 dias; verificou-se que aos 02 dias a resistência da amostra é comparativamente maior que a resistência do bloco inteiro. Aos 28 dias a relação de resistência tende a diminuir, ficando em torno de 2,0. Traçando-se um paralelo com os blocos, acredita-se que esse comportamento é esperado, uma vez que a relação tração e compressão nas menores idades também é maior e se reduz com o passar dos dias, ficando na faixa de 2, devido a relação de área bruta e área líquida.
Spatiotemporal analysis of diarrhea-related hospitalizations of children in Brazil’s Midwest region from 2011 to 2020
Authors: Sartori Ana Lucia , Oliveira Leila Regina de , Pessatto Maria Eduarda
Published: June 2024

ABSTRACT Objective: To examine spatiotemporal variability and identify clustering patterns of hospitalization rates for diarrhea in children younger than five years in Mato Grosso, Brazil, from 2011 to 2020. Methods: An ecological study was conducted using hospitalization records associated with diarrhea from the Brazilian Hospital Information System/Unified Health System. The relative risk of hospitalization for diarrhea in each municipality was calculated using SaTScan software considering a statistical significance level of 5% and 999 Monte Carlo replications. Results: A total of 13,315 diarrhea-associated hospitalizations for 5-year-old children were recorded. From 2011 to 2020, the annual rates for hospitalizations related to diarrhea decreased from 8.50 to 3.45/1,000 live births among children younger than one year and from 4.99 to 1.57 for children aged 1–4 years. Clusters of municipalities with high relative risk for hospitalizations due to diarrhea, statistically significant, predominated in the North, Northeast, and Southwest health administrative macro-regions of Mato Grosso for both age groups until 2016. From 2016 to 2020, clusters of the lowest relative risk were identified in the North and Center South health administrative macro-regions for children younger than five years. Conclusion: Results showed that hospitalization rates for diarrhea in children younger than five years reduced with the presence of low-risk clusters in Mato Grosso in the final years of the study. Public health surveillance should incorporate spatial analysis to investigate the diarrhea-related morbidity.
Associação entre as características clínicas de pacientes com lesão por pressão na pandemia por COVID-19
Authors: Bavaresco Taline , Menegon Dóris Baratz , Macedo Andréia Barcellos Teixeira , Tanaka Raquel Yurika , Candaten Angela Enderle
Published: June 2024

RESUMO Objetivo: Analisar as associações entre as características clínicas de pacientes hospitalizados com lesão por pressão durante a pandemia por COVID-19. Método: Estudo transversal realizado com 237 notificações de lesão em um hospital no sul do Brasil. A coleta ocorreu em 2021 em um programa de gerenciamento institucional, com interlocução ao prontuário. Análise descritiva, teste T de Student, qui-quadrado de Pearson e Wilcoxon. Resultados: A idade média foi de 59,4±14,4 anos, com 59,7% do sexo masculino, 74,7% com diagnóstico de COVID-19. O alto risco (57,8%), estágio 2 (80,2%), região sacral, interglúteos/glúteos (73,0%) foram predominantes e o óbito foi o desfecho prevalente (51,1%), com mediana de 9,5 (0-217) dias, após a notificação. Não houve associação de óbito com diabetes, hipertensão arterial sistêmica, tabagismo e motivo de internação. Conclusão: As características clínicas de pacientes hospitalizados com lesão por pressão refletem a inflamação sistêmica do paciente acometido por COVID-19.
Discoordination promoting institutional racism: considerations on Indigenous access to health policy
Authors: Thomazinho Gabriela
Published: June 2024

Abstract The Brazilian policy for indigenous health has its efficacy conditioned by the promotion of intergovernmental coordination between the Special Secretariat for Indigenous Health (SESAI), municipal, and regional health services. This coordination should be done both in the policy formulation and in its implementation-which should occur between medium and street-level bureaucrats. Based on the literature that discusses federalism and intergovernmental coordination mechanisms, this article investigates the mechanisms and difficulties of cooperation in the frontline of health services offered to Indigenous peoples. A total of six semi-structured interviews were carried out with professionals of the SESAI in the Mato Grosso do Sul DSEI. It was identified that the difficulties are related mainly to institutional racism, the overload of the Brazilian National Health System (SUS), the unaccountability of municipal services, and the weak communication between SESAI and hospitals. The cooperation mechanisms are personal relations, situated agency of SESAI professionals, and a monetary incentive. In conclusion, there is a need for more intergovernmental collaboration mechanisms that consider these difficulties in integrating the implementation of these services.
A contracepção como um valor: histórias de jovens sobre desafios no uso e manejo dos métodos
Authors: Reis Ana Paula dos , Rodríguez Andrea Del Pilar Trujillo , Brandão Elaine Reis
Published: June 2024

Resumo Este artigo apresenta resultados da pesquisa socioantropológica “Jovens da era digital: sexualidade, reprodução, redes sociais e prevenção às IST/HIV/aids”, conduzida com interlocutores (as) de 16 a 24 anos em seis cidades brasileiras. Analisamos narrativas de jovens heterossexuais, especialmente mulheres, dada a centralidade da posição que ocupam no planejamento reprodutivo em contextos hierárquicos de gênero. Apresentamos um script típico da contracepção juvenil: uso de preservativo na iniciação sexual, seguido de método hormonal em combinação/ou não com coito interrompido e o recurso frequente à contracepção de emergência. Destaca-se a experiência negativa das mulheres diante dos efeitos colaterais da contracepção hormonal, resultando em seu abandono ou descontinuidade, bem como o interesse pelo DIU de cobre que, no entanto, é considerado pouco acessível no Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS). Concluímos que, a despeito de constrangimentos de gênero e de desigualdades sociais, étnicas e raciais, a contracepção é um valor incorporado pelos(as) entrevistados(as), aspecto que deve ser considerado na atualização e retomada de políticas públicas voltadas à juventude.
Caracterización del video de divulgación en español especializado en música en el medio YouTube. Enfoques analíticos desde la etnografía digital y el análisis musical multimedia
Authors: Marín Ramírez María Cristina
Published: June 2024

Este texto evidencia el proceso de construcción de la categoría video de divulgación especializado en música, identificando YouTube como un espacio para cartografiar y, a partir de este proceso, construir una tipología de éste. La desagregación de los diversos elementos constitutivos de un caso paradigmático da como resultado una modelización desde la observación empírica donde se pueden evidenciar la incorporación de elementos de la cultura pop, la creación, adopción y empleo de símbolos ampliamente compartidos por las audiencias. Esta categorización se realiza a partir de dos enfoques analíticos cruzados: el análisis musical multimedia y la etnografía digital.
Escrituras del río: arte y ecología. Reflexiones preliminares para un proyecto interdisciplinar de investigación-creación en el Atrato
Authors: Vallejo De la Ossa Ana María , Quiceno Toro Natalia , Wills Toro Álvaro , Jaramillo Villa Úrsula
Published: June 2024

A través de un proceso de diálogo e intercambio de saberes entre conocimientos locales y científicos alrededor del cuidado, la memoria y las experiencias de vida con el río y gracias a una metodología conjunta desde el enfoque etnográfico y artístico, nos embarcamos en un viaje de escrituras creativas por el Atrato. Este artículo expone las consideraciones que vinculan esta nueva investigación con trabajos anteriores en la región al tiempo que propone una idea amplia de escritura creativa que apela a las nociones de huella, rastro, cicatriz y memoria en relación con el río.
Cultural Exchange between North Korea and Mongolia through Mongolian Archive Materials: Focusing on the 1950s and 1960s
Authors:   The Korean Association for Mongolian Studies, Oh Miyoung
Published: June 2024

This study examined cultural exchange patterns between North Korea and Mongolia in the 1950s and 1960s based on materials from the Mongolian archives. The following characteristics emerged in the cultural exchange between North Korea and Mongolia at that time.
First, In July 1952, a 72-member North Korean art troupe led by Choi Seung-hee visited Mongolia for two weeks to commemorate the 31st anniversary of the Mongolian People's Revolution. This was a very unusual move, and Mongolia was the only country where North Korea dispatched a North Korean art troupe with Choi Seung-hee during the height of the war.
Second, on May 14, 1956, North Korea and Mongolia signed the first cultural agreement and established a basic framework for cultural exchange. At that time, along with the cultural agreement, North Korea signed an economic and cultural agreement with a country with close economic support and political solidarity, and Mongolia, along with Soviet Union and China, was one of the countries that signed the agreement. This shows that in North Korea's external relations, Mongolia had the same friendly relationship with Soviet Union and China.
Third, as the visit of Choi Seung-hee and Anmag(安漠) to Mongolia in the 1950s and 1960s is newly revealed, their activity in cultural exchange cooperation between North Korea and Mongolia stands out. When the Pacific War broke out in the early 1940s, Choi Seung-hee toured the front lines in Manchuria and Mongolia and gave consolation performances, and after defecting to North Korea, she taught Mongolian students studying abroad in Beijing. Anmag reached her peak together with her wife, Choi Seung-hee, when she ascended to the position of Minister of Culture and Propaganda in 1956, but visited Mongolia in January of that year, just before her purge in 1958. Anmag participated as a representative of North Korea to conclude the ‘Cultural Exchange Plan between North Korea and Mongolia’ in 1958 and planned various cultural cooperation projects between the two countries.
Current Situation of Mongolian Traditional Character Education: Focusing on Textbooks of the General Secondary Education Institutions
Authors:   The Korean Association for Mongolian Studies, Ch.Oyungerel Ch.Oyungerel
Published: June 2024

This study reviewed the current Mongolian government's overall traditional character education policy, analyzed how this education policy was reflected in Mongolia's general middle and high school textbooks, and examined the current status of Mongolia's traditional character education based on this.
Mongolians have been using ‘Mongol bichig’, Mongolia’s own traditional script, since the 13th century and have a great heritage and history of written culture. As specified in the ‘Law on the Mongolian Language’ resolved in 2015, Mongolia's traditional script, Mongolian bichig, is ‘the precious heritage of the spiritual culture of the Mongolian people, the roots and stem of the nation's civilization, the unity of the nation, the well-being of the nation, and independence. It is a confirmation of independence, and it is also the noble duty of all Mongolians to learn, teach, use, and transmit the Mongolian language.
Mongolia began using the cyrillic alphabet as the country's official alphabet in 1946, and with democratization in 1990, it is making great efforts to use both the current cyrillic alphabet and its own traditional script. The Mongolian government has been implementing many policies related to traditional characters since 1995, starting with the ‘Mongolian Traditional Characters National Program I’. Based on these policies, the subject ‘Mongolian Traditional Characters’ is currently being opened and taught in grades 6 to 12 of general middle and high schools.
Employment of Mongolians in South Korea and Changes of Foreign Labor Policy of South Korea
Authors:   The Korean Association for Mongolian Studies, G.Munkhnasan G.Munkhnasan , N.Otgonsaikhan N.Otgonsaikhan , Shin Minseon
Published: June 2024

Currently, the country where the largest number of overseas Mongolians live and work is Korea, and they account for approximately 3-5% of the Korean labor market. As of December 2023, there is a total of 54,846 Mongolians living in South Korea. The main purpose of this article is to examine the current status of Mongolian workers in Korea and what the Mongolian government should pay attention to in changing Korea's foreign worker policy.
Mongolian workers in Korea are working hard for the Mongolian economy and households. However, they are constantly facing various problems, such as difficulties caused by illegal work and human rights violations. Recently, the number of Mongolians living in Korea has been increasing, and there are studies showing that the status of Mongolians in Korean society is improving, but there are many cases where they become illegal immigrants during the period of their employment contracts. In order to improve the treatment of Mongolian workers working in Korea in the future, it is important to focus on improving working and living conditions and improving language skills.
While Korea's population growth rate is expected to decline, labor demand in the manufacturing sector is expected to increase in the future. Accordingly, Korea's foreign worker policy is changing, and the main goal of this change is to reduce the number of illegal immigrants and non-professional workers. The Korean government is focusing on meeting, labor market demands by allowing foreigners with high knowledge of the Korean language, ability to adapt to Korean culture and social life, and professional skills to live in Korea for a long period of time.
Due to the Korean government's change in foreign labor policy, employment opportunities for Mongolians will increase. In particular, the Korean government needs to attract college graduates and professionals, study the possibility of supporting them when they return to their home country, and implement related specific policies. Examples of the measures include job creation, business support, loans, and simplifying housing loan system.
A Cognitive Semantic Study on the Mongolian Word “Дээр”
Authors:   The Korean Association for Mongolian Studies, Lee Seungeun
Published: June 2024

Cognitive linguistics regards the meaning of language as humans' subjective interpretation of the world. As men communicate with the world through their bodies, their views are self-centered. Those views are reflected in languages. Therefore, it is possible to reveal the unique way of thinking reflected in a language by analyzing the semantic system related to words. This research examines some spatial semantic characteristics of the spatial term “дээр” in the Mongolian language. For this, the study determines its fundamental meanings and schemas related to them based on the basic concepts of spatial semantics of Zlatev (2007) among the cognitive semantics. According to the frame of reference, the word “дээр” spatially indicates a level of height between two things and certain location on a thing. Due to these schematic characteristics, this word does not indicate active or directional motions but static situations.
The Lenition of Intervocalic Consonants in Middle Mongolian and their Representation in Chinese Characters
Authors:   The Korean Association for Mongolian Studies, WURIHENG WURIHENG
Published: June 2024

This article explores how the velar fricative γ/g, through intervocalic consonant lenition in Middle Mongolian, found representation in the written monuments of Mongolian recorded in Chinese scripts from that time. First and foremost, our work pays attention to the alignment between the Mongolian syllable structure and their corresponding transcription of Chinese Characters. Additionally, we delve into the problem of the actual pronunciation of the Chinese characters used to denote these consonants, referencing the “Rhyme Book” (韻書).
Among the significant phonetic evolutions in Mongolian, the lengthening of the vowel following the fricative consonant γ/g was observed, leading to a gradual lenition and eventual disappearance of the preceding consonant. This process caused the consonant to morph into variants like the weak pharyngeal fricative -h-, weak labial fricative -w-, or palatal fricative -y-, until finally reducing to a weak exhalation affecting only the two neighboring vowels. This transformation was determined according to the common trajectory of phoneme development, and was analyzed through texts such as the “Secret History of Mongols” and other 14-15th century documents written in Chinese characters, namely “Zhi-yuan Yi-yu” (至元譯語), “Hua-yi Yi-yu” (華夷譯語), and “Bei-lu Yi-yu” (北虜譯語). This study highlights the transcription methods for the weakened consonants of Middle Mongolian, referencing the “Rhyme Book” (韻書).
BAF_Protocol_012_Lipidomics LC-MS(/MS): Vanquish UPLC and Orbitrap ID-X v1
Authors: Sherman Nicholas
Published: June 2024

This protocol is the basic LC and MS running parameters for lipids or very hydrophobic molecules. Most are singly charged. Lipids can be more challenging as more mass isoforms exist.
Teaching rhetoric to high school students through a comparison and contrast speech
Authors:   Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Kyiv, Ukraine, Kavytska Tamara , Hnedko Iryna ,   Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Kyiv, Ukraine
Published: June 2024

Background. This paper focuses on the teaching of rhetoric to high school students in the Ukrainian classroom. It specifically addresses the development of rhetorical skills in 11th-grade students through compare-contrast speeches, an area that has not been extensively covered in Ukrainian language pedagogy. The authors advocate the incorporation of rhetorical education into the high school curriculum in Ukraine, as the current social and professional environment in the country demands that graduates should be proficient in communication, debate, persuasion, and information filtering to succeed in their future careers. The objective of this paper is to explore the development of rhetorical skills in 11th-grade students in a profession-oriented school through compare-contrast speeches in a Ukrainian classroom. Additionally, it aims to create and validate a series of exercises and tasks to enhance the effectiveness of developing these skills. Methodology. The study was conducted as a natural experiment involving 22 students from a professionally oriented high school in Ukraine. Author 2 served as an internship teacher and validated a series of exercises aimed at improving students' oral communication skills, critical thinking, and the use of comparecontrast rhetorical strategies. Results and discussion. The authors used different types of rhetorical exercises (preparatory, training, creative, and evaluative-analytical) to develop a tailored set of exercises for instructing compare-contrast speeches. Following the implementation of these exercises during a teaching internship, the researchers observed notable enhancements in students' rhetorical skills. The percentage of students showing high and adequate levels of rhetorical competence increased, while the proportion at the average level decreased. However, the data obtained reveal an uneven impact of the instruction on different aspects of communicative competence. Students' language and textual skills were more affected as opposed to their rhetorical skills. The overall conclusion from the research is that only targeted and systematic instruction can lead to significant improvement in rhetorical skills. Despite being proficient in language and communication, most students found mastering rhetorical techniques difficult, as it requires higher-order thinking skills and creativity.
Surgical antisepsis in Russia: historical parallels
Authors: Sisin Yevgeniy I. , Golubkova Alla A. , Kozlova Irina I. , Jusuf Elena V. , Melnik Daria A. , Mendaeva Alsu M. , Gilmijarova Valerija О.
Published: June 2024

The origins of surgery and the improvement of surgical practices did not always guarantee a favorable surgical outcome. Even a masterfully performed operation could lead to a purulent-inflammatory process. Even at the stage of empirical development of medicine, before the great microbiological discoveries, an understanding was formed about a certain “substrate” that penetrates the surgical wound from the external environment and causes its suppuration. Supporters of the contagionist theory called it contagium, and supporters of the miasmatic theory considered the external (air) environment as such a source. The ideas of the supporters of the contagionist theory of the occurrence of purulent-septic complications in surgery in the middle of the 18th century are reflected in the works of D.S. Samoilovich and I.F. Semmelweis; the latter proved the transmission of the infectious principle by the surgeon’s hands, which became the starting point for the development of preventive antiseptics.
In historical retrospect, the technology and means used for surgical hand antisepsis in Russia were analyzed from the mid-18th to the early 20th centuries.
Moreover, literary sources for the period from 1783 to 2023 were analyzed, containing information about the antiseptic treatment of surgeons’ hands. Historical, descriptive, evaluative, analytical, and bacteriological research methods were used. As an experiment, the original antiseptic recipe described by D.S. Samoilovich (1783) was restored, and its effectiveness was confirmed.
During surgical practices in Russia, starting from the mid-18th century, facts about the use of drugs with antiseptic activity for hand treatment are described. It is shown how, in historical retrospect, views on the final result of surgical antisepsis changed: from partial to complete destruction of microorganisms, preventing their entry from the deep layers of the skin, to the destruction of transient microflora and reduction of the abundance of resident microflora. Despite the influence of the English (J. Lister) and German (P. Fürbringer, J.F. Ahlfeld) surgical schools on the development of antiseptics in Russia, it retained its originality, determined by the needs of society and the possibility of using certain chemical antiseptics and their compositions for its implementation. The contribution of domestic surgeons to the improvement of antiseptic technologies and drugs in military field conditions is shown (N.I. Pirogov, A.M. Zabludovsky, D.I. Tatarinov et al.).
Towards a Guidebook for Developing Dance/Movement Therapy Intervention Apps
Authors:   , Metcalf Gracie , Goodill Sherry W.
Published: June 2024

This culminating project is an Informed Practice Approach and Application (IPAA), grounded in extant theory and literature and the author's facilitation of a community discussion and experiential movement structures with the Drexel University DMT-C students and faculty. It explores considerations for the design and development of a dance/movement therapy (DMT) intervention app found within the existing literature and evoked during community collaboration with the Dance/Movement Therapy and Counseling (DMT-C) program students and faculty. The literature included considerations for intervention app development across the fields of DMT, dance/movement, creative arts therapies (CATs), and mental health. These considerations were explored through experiential movement structures and discussion collaborations with the Drexel DMT-C community. The literature considerations and community collaborations were synthesized into a publicly accessible digital guidebook for developing DMT intervention apps to inform future creative processes related to DMT app development. The project illuminates the need for more research and evidence-based knowledge on the topic of DMT intervention app development and provides suggestions for future applications.
Implementation of Improved U-Net and Optimized XGBoost-SVM Classifier for Early Detection of Masses and Microcalcifications in Breast
Authors: Ayyadurai Malarvizhi , Nagappan Andiappan
Published: June 2024

Purpose: In contemporary time, breast cancer has been extensively found among women at a global rate of 24.2% as of 2018. This exposes the significant and imperative need for detecting masses and micro calcifications in the breast to avoid death rates. The existing histopathological images have gained a golden standard considering they would afford reliable results. However, these images have been entangled with various complexities including insufficient image contrast, noise, and misdiagnosis. These pitfalls might negatively impact the detection rate for which automatic recognition has become vital. With the momentous evolvement of Machine Learning (ML) and Deep Learning (DL), various researchers have endeavoured to consider ML and DL for accomplishing this prediction. However, they need to improve in accuracy rate due to ineffective feature extraction, and most studies averted to consider segmentation. Hence, this study regards accomplishing a high classification and segmentation process.
Materials and Methods: The study proposes Modified Weight Updated Convolutional Block-U-Net (MWu-Conv-U-Net) to handle the image dimensions optimally. In this case, U-Net based model is regarded by improvising it with the inclusion of an additional convolutional layer in individual encoder-decoder. Further, the study proposes an Optimized Weight Updated eXtreme Gradient Boosting-Support Vector Machine (OWu-XGBoost-SVM) for determining the optimal gradient, which would eventually enhance the prediction rate.
Results: The overall performance is assessed through performance metrics to confirm its effectiveness in classifying and segmenting the Breast Cancer Histopathological (BACH) image dataset. Comparison is undertaken with conventional systems in accordance with metrics (recall, F1-score, precision, and accuracy). The results revealed the efficacy of the proposed system with 99% accuracy, 99% F1-score, 99% precision, and 99% recall.
Conclusion: High accuracy procured through the analysis reveals its efficacy and hence it could be applicable for real-time execution for assisting medical experts in early breast cancer prognosis.
Effect of Optogenetic Stimulation Parameters on Firing Rate of Basal Ganglia Neurons in Parkinsonian State BG and RT Networks
Authors: Ghasemzadeh Nazlar , Nowshiravan Rahatabad Fereidoun , Haghipour Siamak , Andalibi Miandoab Shabnam , Maghooli Keivan
Published: June 2024

Purpose: Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects the basal ganglia of the brain, which plays an important role in movement. Basal Ganglia-Thalamic network model including Subthalamic nucleus, Globus Pallidus externa, Globus Pallidus interna and Thalamus neurons. Optogenetics is a combination of optical and genetic tools used to stimulate basal ganglia neurons by light-sensitive ion channels (opsins) to eliminate the pathological effects of Parkinson's disease.
Materials and Methods: To analyze the effect of optogenetic stimulation on Parkinsonian nervous systems, two complete models of BG and RT (including STN, GPe, Gpi, and TH neurons) have been selected and developed for Parkinson’s disease and to apply three and four-state optogenetic stimulation. For this purpose, ChETA, ChRwt, and NpHR opsins have been selected in three-state and four-state stimulations and different stimulation conditions according to different parameters in both models have been investigated.
Results: To evaluate the performance of two models for each gene in three- and four-state stimulation conditions with different values of basic parameters, the value of error index is calculated and stimulation conditions that created an error index equal to zero have been introduced as optimal conditions. Based on the results, frequencies of 20 and 200 Hz in the four-state ChRwt model and frequency of 80 Hz in the three-state ChETA model have been introduced as optimal genes, frequencies, and models. To verify the developed model, the obtained results have been compared with the results of experimental studies.
Conclusion: In optimal conditions, STN provides excitatory input and GPe provide appropriate inhibitory input to GPi, and GPi can provide appropriate inhibitory input to TH, and as a result, its function improves and pathological effects of Parkinson's disease disappear. The response of GPe neurons is consistent with the experimental results and the response of other neurons is also similar to the response of GPe neurons.