bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Аcute renal failure in patients with implanted LVAD in the early postoperative period
Authors: Mazurenko O. , Tarabrin O.
Published: December 2023

AKI is one of the major complications in the cardiac surgery group of patients in the world. In patients with LVAD in the short postoperative period, the situation with such a complication as AKI is associated with the state of hemodynamics and fluctuations in the parameters of the hemostasis system.

The purpose of this scientific work is to analyze the state of the blood coagulation system and its response to therapy and complications in the early postoperative period in fifty patients with implanted devices for mechanical support of the left ventricle, left ventricle assist device, LVAD, in the Silesian Heart Disease, Poland. Patients were divided into two groups, a control group receiving classical anticoagulation targeted therapy (ATT), which included the most controlled monotherapy with heparin, after reaching the target values of APTT, the addition and transition to monotherapy with warfarin until reaching the target INR and ASA, and the main, research group, who received an alternative ATT consisting of the previous one with the addition of P2Y12-receptor blockers and Xa-factors.

The results showed that the control group of patients with classical anticoagulant targeted therapy had greater mortality associated with AKI than the patients of the study group, and it was also demonstrated that the initially longer duration of surgery and intraoperative polyuria gave a greater percentage of AKI in the postoperative period.

The work was carried out within the framework of a bilateral agreement on scientific cooperation between the Department of Anesthesiology & Intensive Care at the National Medical Academy of Post-Graduate Education Named After P.L. Shupyk and the Silesian Center for Heart Diseases (Poland). This article is part of the analysis of the work on the analysis of the blood coagulation system in patients after implantation of the left ventricular mechanical circulatory support system with the analysis of such postoperative complication as acute kidney failure.
Representation of Women’s Citizenship Activity in the Polish-language Media Discourse. Around the Case of Tomato Soup and van Gogh
Authors: Kopińska Violetta
Published: December 2023

Celem artykułu jest rekonstrukcja dyskursywnej reprezentacji aktywności obywatelskiej kobiet na podstawie medialnego opisu i komentarzy w języku polskim, odnoszących się do wydarzenia z 14 października 2022, zorganizowanego przez koalicję Just Stop Oil w National Gallery w Londynie. Materiał badawczy obejmował różne gatunki:  artykuły/informacje opublikowane na portalach internetowych, posty w mediach społecznościowych (Facebook) oraz komentarze do artykułów/postów. W sumie przeprowadzono analizę 70 artykułów/postów i 3830 komentarzy. Do analizy wykorzystano Krytyczną Analizę Dyskursu (KAD) w podejściu reprezentowanym przez Ruth Wodak i Martina Reisigla (Reisigl & Wodak, 2005; Wodak, 2001). W badanym materiale poszukiwano aplikacji strategii dyskursywnych (nominalizacji, predykacji, argumentacji, perspektywizacji, wzmacniania i tonowania) w odniesieniu do samego aktu oraz do aktorek społecznych zaangażowanych w ten akt. Wyniki pokazują m.in., że dyskurs o aktywności obywatelskiej rekonstruowany na podstawie przeprowadzonych analiz buduje wiele symbolicznych granic, które ‘porządkują’ wartościowanie i towarzyszącą mu argumentację. Przypisywane aktorkom społecznym cechy i właściwości, jednoznacznie negatywnie wartościowane, przesłaniają sam akt, kwestionując w efekcie jego znaczenie. Z kolei, dyskurs „objaśniający”, „ironizujący” i dyskurs oburzenia nie potrafią przekroczyć granicy między sferą prywatną i publiczną na poziomie argumentacji konstruowanej do negatywnych ocen.
Will Women Save the World? The Ecological Civic Activity of Girls and Women from Generation Z Representing ICT and STEM
Authors: Chmura-Rutkowska Iwona , Kozłowska Agnieszka
Published: December 2023

The subject of the study is the gender gap in the environmental activism of young people from generation Z, related to the ICT and STEM sector, which plays a key role in the ecological transformation. Women are, according to world literature, more ecological than men in thinking, motivation and actions. The aim of the study was to check whether and to what extent this regularity applies to Poland and the masculinized ICT sector, where women constitute only about 20% of employees, and also what is the relationship between the level of environmental activism, environmental awareness and environmental behavior in the private sphere. The research sample consisted of 637 people born between 1995 and 2010 (Generation Z): 381 women (59.8%), 247 men (38.8%) and 9 non-binary people (1.4%). The data was taken from an extensive study carried out for the report on the values of ICT and STEM sector related young people from the generation Z. From the raw database, questions were extracted as indicators of awareness (15 questions on the NEP scale), ecological knowledge, sense of influence on counteracting the ecological crisis, risk perception of ecological threats, ecological behavior in the private sphere, and ecological activism (environmental behavior in the civic sphere). The data analysis included: (1) calculation of the NEP Index (2) frequency tables, including cross-tabs for all variables broken down by gender, (3) testing gender differences (Student’s t for continuous variables and Pearson’s Chi-square for ordinal and nominal variables) and (4) testing the relationship between selected variables and the level of environmental awareness (one-way ANOVA or t-test). Women turned out to be more environmentally aware than men (NEP Index 0.70 vs. 0.57), had more knowledge, a greater sense of influence on combating the ecological crisis, and greater faith in the effectiveness of the institutional activities in this area; showed greener behavior in their private lives and greater environmental activism.The ANOVA analysis showed that, with the exception of two variables, the surveyed areas of civic activity were proportionally related to environmental awareness: the higher the level of environmentalism, the higher the mean on the NEP scale. Almost all examined differences were statistically significant at p level < 0.001.
Pedagogy of Discomfort as a Project of Citizenship Education: About Commitment to Social Justice from the Perspective of the Feminist Theories of Emotions
Authors: Góralska Renata
Published: December 2023

The aim of the article is to describe the assumptions of the ‘pedagogy of discomfort’ and to analyse its main theses from the perspective of its potential perception as a pedagogical‘project’ of citizenship education. The theoretical context is provided by the feminist theories of emotions (e.g. by Megan Boler, Rosi Braidotti and Martha Nussbaum), which emphasise the importance of educational activities for social justice and the affective and ethical dimension of citizenship education.The research problem of the article is focused around two questions: (1) what are the goals and assumptions of the pedagogy of discomfort and (2) what is the pedagogical potential of pedagogy of discomfort from the perspective of socially and democratically oriented citizenship education. The research was embedded in the paradigm of humanistic- oriented pedagogy and the research method used is a qualitative, thematic analysis of the sources selected for the sample, i.e. six original and co-authored texts by Megan Boler – the author of the concept of ‘pedagogy of discomfort.’ The research results indicate that feminist theories of emotions, including Megan Boler’s philosophy of education known as the ‘pedagogy of discomfort,’ carry implications that are important for pedagogical actions for social justice, democracy and the common good.
Nonconformism, Social Identity, and Self-efficacy of Women Leaders of Thematic Villages
Authors: Bernacka Ryszarda Ewa , Mazurek-Kusiak Anna , Korcz Natalia , Kobyłka Agata
Published: December 2023

The specific aim of this study was to explore whether traits typified as particularly expected in the management of thematic villages: nonconformism, social identity, and self-efficacy are present in their 57 female leaders. The following questionnaires were applied: Creative Behavior Questionnaire (CBQIII); J.E. Cameron's Social Identity Scale (STS) and Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES). The analysis revealed significant relationships between nonconformism and self-efficacy. Nonconformism was negatively associated with the social identity of leaders of thematic villages. Social identity was negatively connected to self-efficacy, especially with its component centrality.
From Museology to the Anthropology of Things. Training Personnel for Cultural Institutions in the Poznań Ethnological Centre
Authors: Brzezińska Anna Weronika
Published: December 2023

The Author briefly presents the history of the establishment and functioning of the Poznań ethnological centre from 1919 to the present day, indicating the place of museology in the curricula. Using the example of her own teaching activities, she shows how this content can be integrated into the teaching of various subjects (compulsory, optional, and projectbased courses). She describes the classes conducted and briefly presents selected projects implemented in cooperation with museums and with the participation of students. She also confronts three perspectives that are important for the preparation of future museum professionals. The first concerns the interests of students and their needs in terms of acquiring knowledge about museums, their activities, and ways of organisation. The second concerns the preparation of didactic proposals by the IAiE employees. The third is related to the needs of the professional market regarding the training of future museum employees. The article concludes with reflections on the ways and directions of training future museum staff, which should be done in consultation with the museum community to jointly plan the path of professional training in the field of museology.
The Presence and Absence of Museology Themes in the Educational Process of the Institute of Ethnology and Cultural Anthropology at the University of Warsaw
Authors: Waszczyńska Katarzyna
Published: December 2023

The article is devoted to museology education in the Warsaw ethnological centre, from the beginning of its establishment in the 1930s. The text highlights the postulate of the first Head of the Department − Cezaria Baudouin de Courtenay-Ehrenkreutz-Jędrzejewiczowa to combine field research with work with museum collections, the return of museological themes to didactics in the 1960s on the initiative of Marian Pokropek, and the subsequent museological initiatives of the centre’s employees. The conducted review made it possible to conclude that museological issues have always been present in ethnological education in the Warsaw centre, even though it has not been possible to create a uniform system of teaching them. The most popular form of their presence has been the museum traineeship. It brings students into contact with experienced museum professionals, enabling them to acquire specific skills and learn directly about the collections of a particular museum. Students who choose museology subjects do not constitute a large group, but they are interested and committed, which is often reflected in the choice of topics for their diploma theses (bachelor’s, master’s) or in their choice of career after graduation. The article is supplemented by annexes: the first concerns museum traineeships conducted between 2009 and 2022, and the second contains a list of bachelor’s and master’s theses related to museology (it covers the years 1955–2022)
El diario La Nación: intentos de elaboración de un nuevo ideal nacional.
Authors: Muriana Escudero Alejandro
Published: December 2023

En el siguiente artículo se intentará abordar los planteamientos ideológicos que vertió el diario gubernamental La Nación. Se trata de un intento de articular un nuevo ideal nacional por parte del régimen de Miguel Primo de Rivera enmarcado en su intento de institucionalización tras la victoria del desembarco de Alhucemas ocurrido en 1925, en el centenario del inicio de tal acontecimiento histórico. Para este objetivo se observará los diferentes artículos de opinión que expresaba la editorial del diario durante el periodo dictatorial en un intento de poder configurar un discurso en torno a la dictadura, así de una mayoría social afín.
La sátira gráfica en la revista política Enbata (1960-1975).
Authors: Castañeda Castañeda-Zumeta Aitor
Published: December 2023

Enbata es la primera revista francesa de ideología nacionalista vasca, nacida en Bayona (1960) como hebdomadario de la formación homónima, disuelta en 1974. Tras un año de silencio, la revista fue relanzada. El presente artículo estudia los chistes gráficos que se publicaron en Enbata desde 1960 hasta un año después de su interdicción. A través de un método analítico cuantitativo, se estudian los chistes por autoría, tamaño, posición en página y narrativa. Se identifican además las personalidades públicas caricaturizadas en ella. Se concluye que la caricatura fue un género ampliamente cultivado en Enbata, con una preferencia por la sátira que creció importantemente en 1975 como discurso contestatario. Beñat Amestoy ‘Etxebeltz’ fue su dibujante de referencia.
Antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy with Photosensitizer Improved the Gingival Collagen, Oxidative Status and Protect the Bone in Short Term Experimental Periodontitis
Authors: Palma Victor de Mello , Barcelos Raquel Cristine Silva , Pasini Marcela Mozzaquatro , Pillusky Fernanda Maia , Barin Luisa Machado , Vey Luciana Thaschetto , Maciel Roberto Marinho , Kantorski Karla Zanini , Bürger Marilise Escobar , Ferrazzo Kívia Linhares , Danesi Cristiane Cademartori
Published: December 2023

Objectives: To evaluate the influence of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) with methylene blue (MB) dissolved in ethanol used as an adjunct to scaling and root planing (SRP) in periodontitis treatment on bone loss, collagen fibers and gingival oxidative status.

Methods: Wistar rats were randomly randomized in five experimental groups according to the periodontal treatment: NC (negative control; no periodontitis); PC (positive control; periodontitis without any treatment); SRP (periodontitis and SRP), aPDT I (periodontitis and SRP+aPDT+MB solubilized in water), and aPDT II (periodontitis and SRP+aPDT+MB solubilized in ethanol 20%). To induce the experimental periodontitis, one mandibular right first molar of each animal received the cotton ligature in a submarginal position. The periodontal treatments were performed after 7 days of ligature removal.

Results: PC group had more bone loss compared to the other groups. SRP and aPDT I groups showed equivalent bone losses and the aPDT II group showed bone loss similar to the aPDT I group, smaller than the PC and SRP groups on the 7th day. PC and SRP groups showed higher gingival lipoperoxidation levels on the 7th day, but only the PC group exhibited higher gingival lipoperoxidation on the 15th day. Besides, it indicated an aPDT II protective action on the gingiva on the 7th day observed by the maintenance of the gingival glutathione (GSH) levels similar to NC group. The aPDT treatments were able to prevent gingival collagen degradation with 7 days of treatment.

Conclusions: aPDT can act as a beneficial adjuvant tool to minimize bone loss, collagen degradation and periodontitis-induced oxidative damages. Therefore, it is possible to suggest that the short-term aPDT causes beneficial responses accelerating periodontal healing.
OUTROS MUNDOS E O NOSSO
Authors: Alves Rodrigues Marli , Maia Gil Santiago , Fernandes de Fernandes Iranderly
Published: December 2023

Este artigo traz uma abordagem voltada para questões relativas à sobrevivência do homem e das demais espécies assim como as possibilidades de enfrentamento e adequação frente às ameaças que estamos expostos. Busca-se aqui, refletir sobre os fatores mais iminentes, sejam estes extrínsecos ou intrínsecos aos seres vivos, que põe em risco a vida em nosso planeta. Desta forma, chamamos a atenção para as colisões por grandes asteroides, cujas cicatrizes já deixadas em nossa superfície faz nos manter em alerta, e os catastróficos efeitos das mudanças climáticas que se agravam com a crescente sociedade tecnológica e suas ações antropogênicas, fatores estes que põe os ecossistemas e a própria espécie humana em risco de colapso. Destacamos, também, os possíveis caminhos e processos para reverter ou amortizar estes agravos e a importância do impulsionamento das tecnologias espaciais na conquista de outros mundos como forma de manter e disseminar a vida no Universo. Esperamos, assim, contribuir na produção e disseminação do conhecimento científico da Astronomia como matéria interdisciplinar e, ao mesmo tempo, promover uma reflexão científico-filosófica do nosso pertencimento ao Cosmo e da necessidade da construção coletiva de uma sociedade mais sustentável.
The Roles of the Foundation of Child Development and Murals in Empowering Children and Community in Bangkok
Authors: Nunma Pilaiporn , Kanki Kiyoko
Published: December 2023

Abstract: This field report sheds light on the Foundation of Child Development, a nongovernmental organization dedicated to serving children and communities in a high-density neighborhood in Bangkok, Thailand. The analysis primarily examines the Foundation's strategic use of murals to engage children, parents, community members, and other stakeholders, particularly in Duang Khae alley and during the annual Rong Mueang Rueang Yim Festival. Creation of these murals contributed to vibrant play spaces and child-centric activities. However, there remains a need to establish well-shaded activity zones on the streets through proactive international collaboration.
Overcoming Isolation: Teenagers' Connectedness to Others During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Meltzer Gabriella , Dinh Tony , Campbell Nnenia , Fothergill Alice , Gibb Christine
Published: December 2023

Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic was characterized by loneliness, especially among teenagers. This study explored the coping mechanisms, activities, challenges, places visited, and sources of support that predicted teenagers feeling connected to others during COVID-19. Data come from surveys administered in the United States and Canada in summer 2022. Multivariate logistic regression showed that producing personal protective equipment, supporting siblings, getting involved in the local community, becoming more politically active, and taking language classes were positively associated with connectedness. In addition, teens in Canada were more likely to feel connected to others than teens in the United States. These findings can inform policies to enhance resilience in teenagers during protracted crises.
Constitutively active CaMKII Drives B lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma in tp53 mutant zebrafish
Authors: Rothschild Sarah C. , Lai Guanhua , Tombes Robert M. , Clements Wilson K.
Published: December 2023

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma (ALL) is the most common pediatric cancer and is a malignancy of T or B lineage lymphoblasts. Dysregulation of intracellular Ca2+ levels has been observed in patients with ALL, leading to improper activation of downstream signaling. Here we describe a new zebrafish model of B ALL, generated by expressing human constitutively active CaMKII (CA-CaMKII) in tp53 mutant lymphocytes. In this model, B cell hyperplasia in the kidney marrow and spleen progresses to overt leukemia/lymphoma, with only 29% of zebrafish surviving the first year of life. Leukemic fish have reduced productive genomic VDJ recombination in addition to reduced expression and improper splicing of ikaros1, a gene often deleted or mutated in patients with B ALL. Inhibiting CaMKII in human pre-B ALL cells induced cell death, further supporting a role for CaMKII in leukemogenesis. This research provides novel insight into the role of Ca2+-directed signaling in lymphoid malignancy and will be useful in understanding disease development and progression.
Constraints on the functioning of Community-based Health Planning and Services facilities: A qualitative study in the Jirapa Municipality, Ghana
Authors: Kaburu Roger Kuutero , Haruna Umar , Abiiro Gilbert Abotisem
Published: December 2023

The declaration of the Alma-Alta on primary health care (PHC) in 1978 enjoined nations to make health care accessible, affordable, and situated within their cultural contexts. The Ghana Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS), as a strategy to achieve the goal of PHC, has shown significant successes in communities where it has been implemented. However, a number of challenges continue to affect the effective functioning of CHPS. This study explored the community level and health system constraints on the effective functioning of CHPS in the delivering of PHC services in the Jirapa Municipality. A qualitative approach was implemented. A criterion-based purposive sampling technique was employed to recruit 51 managers and health service providers of CHPS for key informant interviews. The respondents included 25 community health management committee members, 25 health officers in charge of CHPS facilities, and one municipal CHPS coordinator. The interviews were held from September 18 to November 23, 2020. All interviews were face-to-face, audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis based on the constant comparative method was employed to analyse the data. The results showed that low community involvement in CHPS activities, disputes over the location and naming of CHPS zones, inadequate understanding of the CHPS concept and religious beliefs were the key community level factors which negatively affected the functioning of CHPS. Also, lack of logistics, financial constraints, poor attitude of health workers and inadequate staff motivation were the health sector constraints on the effective functioning of CHPS. In conclusion, concerted efforts are needed to tackle the community level and health system constraints to improve the overall functioning and effectiveness of the CHPS strategy. We recommend the strengthening of community sensitization, timely disbursement of funding, and provision of infrastructure and supplies to improve upon the effective functioning of CHPS as a strategy for delivery PHC in Ghana.
Climate variability on Fit for 55 European power systems
Authors: De Felice Matteo , Koolen Derck , Kanellopoulos Konstantinos , Busch Sebastian , Zucker Andreas
Published: December 2023

The use of variable renewable energy sources to generate electricity introduces a dependency on meteorological factors into power systems. With the renewables share growing globally, often driven by political pressures, the reliability and efficiency of power systems are increasingly affected by this dependency. In this paper, we investigate the impact of the natural variability of meteorological parameters on the European power system in 2030. We specifically focus on (1) analysing the main European weather patterns affecting renewable energy production and (2) understanding the co-variability of this production among European countries. The identification of a set of patterns in the behaviour of key power system operation indicators allows us to analyse the relationship between large-scale weather regimes and daily power system operations in a 2030 European energy context. Regarding renewable generation, analysis of the co-variability shows that European power systems tend to form two clusters, in each of which all the regions tend to show a positive correlation among themselves and a negative correlation with the other cluster. Our analysis of the most important large-scale weather regimes shows that during cyclonic patterns, the carbon intensity of all the European power systems is lower than normal, while the opposite happens during blocking regimes.
Effects of maternal calcium propionate supplementation on offspring productivity and meat metabolomic profile in sheep
Authors: Pérez Segura Luis Fernando , Ramirez Rogelio Flores , Relling Alejandro E. , Roque-Jimenez José Alejandro , Zhang Naifeng , Vargas-Bello-Pérez Einar , Lee-Rangel Héctor A.
Published: December 2023

This study determined the effect of dietary calcium propionate (CaPr) as a source of energy supplementation during the First Half of Gestation (FMG), the Second Half of Gestation (SMG), and during All Gestation (AG), on offspring post-weaning growth performance, meat quality, and meat metabolomic profile. Thirty-one pregnant ewes were assigned to one of four treatments: a) supplementation of 30 gd−1 of CaPr during the first half of gestation (day 1 to day 75, n = 8) (FMG); b) supplementation of 30 gd−1 of CaPr during the second half of gestation (day 76 to day 150, n = 8) (SMG); c) supplementation of 30 gd−1 of CaPr during all gestation (AG, n = 8); d) no CaPr supplementation (control; CS, n = 7). The ewes were ad libitum fed a basal diet based on oat hay and corn silage. Ewes were distributed in a completely randomized unbalanced design to four treatments. The FMG group had lower (P ≤ 0.05) birth weight and weaning weight than the CS group. However, the average daily gain was similar across all treatments. Empty body weight and FMG had lower values (P ≤ 0.05) than the other groups. Both FMG and AG had lower hot carcass weight (P ≤ 0.05) compared to CS, while CaPr treatments resulted in reduced hot carcass yield (P ≤ 0.05). Meat color and texture were similar among treatments. A principal component analysis between gestation stages showed a trend for separating CS and FMG from SMG and AG, and that was explained by 93.7% of the data variability (PC1 = 87.9% and PC2 = 5.8%). Regarding meat metabolomic profile, 23 compounds were positively correlated between all treatments. Only 2 were negatively correlated (eicosane and naphthalene 1,2,3); but tetradecanoic acid, hexadecane, undecane 5-methyl, (-)-alpha, hexadecenoic acid, octadecanoic acid, and octadecane had a highly significant correlation (P ≤ 0.05). Overall, dam supplementation with CaPr during different periods of gestation provoked changes in meat metabolites related to the biosynthesis of fatty acids in lambs without negative changes in lamb’s growth performance and carcass quality.
Mediating factors explain anxiety experienced by women with obesity during the Covid-19 pandemic
Authors: Urdapilleta Isabel , El Khoury Lionel , Catheline Jean-Marc , Lahlou Saadi , Demarchi Samuel
Published: December 2023

The Covid-19 pandemic could be a source of great anxiety, especially for those at higher risk, such as women experiencing obesity. The aim of this study was to measure how some personal characteristics such as BMI (from underweight to class 3 obesity), bariatric surgery (yes or no), comorbidities, or age (as antecedent variables), and mediating factors impacted state anxiety during the Covid-19 Pandemic. Mediating factors were related to subjective knowledge or attitudes (e.g. interest or beliefs and practices around Covid-19, subjective health perception, and confidence in the government). French women (N = 532) were invited to take part in a voluntary online health survey during lockdown in Paris and its suburbs. Results showed that women with higher BMI had higher anxiety scores, primarily because they feel less healthy than other people. Secondly, the larger the body size of the participants was (BMI), the less they reported that information about Covid-19 held their attention. This lack of interest resulted in feelings of anxiety not being generated. Thirdly, the larger their body size was, the less confidence they had in the effectiveness of the proposed measures by the government and therefore, the more anxious they were. Finally, older age predicted higher interest in the pandemic, higher subjective health, and higher confidence in the government. Identifying obesity as a potential risk factor for anxiety disorders is crucial, but measuring the relationship between state anxiety and personal characteristics (e.g. BMI) requires considering mediating variables (e.g. subjective health perception). To reduce anxiety in women with obesity, it appears necessary to focus on psychological programs that can help them improve their perception of their health, as well as the confidence they may have in institutions, especially for younger women.
Factors affecting job performance of Sri Lankan IT professionals working from home
Authors: Jayanandana Nilesh , Jayathilaka Ruwan
Published: December 2023

This study investigated the influence of the physical work environment, work life balance, work flexibility, and effective communication on the job performance of IT professionals in Sri Lanka’s IT industry who work from home (WFH). A standard questionnaire was used to collect data from 293 IT specialists in 50 different IT organizations in Sri Lanka, and a stepwise probit model was employed for data analysis. According to the findings, both the physical work environment and work life balance had a significantly positive effect on job performance. A one-unit increase in the physical work environment and work life balance increased the likelihood of high job performance by 0.21% and 0.19%, respectively. In contrast, work flexibility had a negative effect on job performance, with an increase of one unit resulting in a 0.18% decrease in the likelihood of high job performance. The positive impact of effective communication on job performance was less significant. The study emphasises the significance of providing a conducive work environment and promoting work life balance to enhance the job performance of IT professionals in Sri Lanka’s IT industry who WFH.
Quantifying confidence shifts in a BERT-based question answering system evaluated on perturbed instances
Authors: Shen Ke , Kejriwal Mayank
Published: December 2023

Recent work on transformer-based neural networks has led to impressive advances on multiple-choice natural language processing (NLP) problems, such as Question Answering (QA) and abductive reasoning. Despite these advances, there is limited work still on systematically evaluating such models in ambiguous situations where (for example) no correct answer exists for a given prompt among the provided set of choices. Such ambiguous situations are not infrequent in real world applications. We design and conduct an experimental study of this phenomenon using three probes that aim to ‘confuse’ the model by perturbing QA instances in a consistent and well-defined manner. Using a detailed set of results based on an established transformer-based multiple-choice QA system on two established benchmark datasets, we show that the model’s confidence in its results is very different from that of an expected model that is ‘agnostic’ to all choices that are incorrect. Our results suggest that high performance on idealized QA instances should not be used to infer or extrapolate similarly high performance on more ambiguous instances. Auxiliary results suggest that the model may not be able to distinguish between these two situations with sufficient certainty. Stronger testing protocols and benchmarking may hence be necessary before such models are deployed in front-facing systems or ambiguous decision making with significant human impact.
Association of low blood pressure and falls: An analysis of data from the Leiden 85-plus Study
Authors: Röthlisberger David , Jungo Katharina Tabea , Bütikofer Lukas , Poortvliet Rosalinde K. E. , Gussekloo Jacobijn , Streit Sven
Published: December 2023

Background

Falls and consequent injuries are prevalent in older adults. In this group, half of injury-related hospitalizations are associated with falls and the rate of falls increases with age. The evidence on the role of blood pressure and the use of antihypertensive treatment on the risk of falls remains unclear in oldest-old adults (≥85 years).

Objectives

To examine the association between systolic blood pressure (SBP) and incident falls with medical consequences in oldest-old adults and to analyse whether this association is modified by the use of antihypertensive treatments or the presence of cardiovascular disease.

Methods

We analysed data from the Leiden 85-plus Study, a prospective, population-based cohort study with adults aged ≥85 years and a 5-year follow-up. Falls with medical consequences were reported by the treating physician of participants. We assessed the association between time-updated systolic blood pressure and the risk of falling over a follow-up period of five years using generalized linear mixed effects models with a binomial distribution and a logit link function. Subgroup analyses were performed to examine the role of antihypertensive treatment and the difference between participant with and without cardiovascular disease.

Results

We analysed data from 544 oldest-old adults, 242 (44.4%) of which used antihypertensives. In 81 individuals (15%) ≥1 fall(s) were reported during the follow-up period. The odds for a fall decreased by a factor of 0.86 (95% CI 0.80 to 0.93) for each increase in blood pressure by 10 mmHg. This effect was specific to blood pressure values above 130mmHg. We did not find any evidence that the effect would be modified by antihypertensive treatment, but that there was a tendency that it would be weaker in participants with cardiovascular disease (OR 0.81, 95% CI 0.72 to 0.90 per 10mmHg) compared to those without cardiovascular disease (OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.84 to 1.05 per 10mmHg).

Conclusion

Our results point towards a possible benefit of higher blood pressure in the oldest-old with respect to falls independent of the use of antihypertensive treatments.
Factors influencing the social perception of entrepreneurs in Spain: A quantitative analysis from secondary data
Authors: Arroyo-Barrigüete Jose Luis , Escudero-Guirado Carmen , Minguela-Rata Beatriz
Published: December 2023

The essential role that entrepreneurs play in the economy, while acknowledged in the academic context, is not always recognized socially. In the specific case of Spain, the profession has even been called into question by public institutions, which is highly detrimental to both the social image of entrepreneurs and the country’s economy. Therefore, there is a need to identify factors that can improve this social image. This study aims to investigate one of these factors, specifically the effect of interest in economics. To do so, data from a large sample of 25,835 Spanish citizens from 2002–2022 were employed. The analysis was conducted using a combination of a neural network model and logistic regression. The conclusion of the study is that as interest in economics and business increases, the perception of entrepreneurs improves. Therefore, those individuals with less interest in economics tend to have a more negative view of this profession. This result opens up a potential avenue for enhancing the social image of entrepreneurs, as a higher interest in economics and business, which could be achieved through effective communication campaigns or basic education, leads to an improvement in perception.
Convergent evolution of SARS-CoV-2 XBB lineages on receptor-binding domain 455–456 synergistically enhances antibody evasion and ACE2 binding
Authors: Jian Fanchong , Feng Leilei , Yang Sijie , Yu Yuanling , Wang Lei , Song Weiliang , Yisimayi Ayijiang , Chen Xiaosu , Xu Yanli , Wang Peng , Yu Lingling , Wang Jing , Liu Lu , Niu Xiao , Wang Jing , Xiao Tianhe , An Ran , Wang Yao , Gu Qingqing , Shao Fei , Jin Ronghua , Shen Zhongyang , Wang Youchun , Wang Xiangxi , Cao Yunlong
Published: December 2023

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) XBB lineages have achieved dominance worldwide and keep on evolving. Convergent evolution of XBB lineages on the receptor-binding domain (RBD) L455F and F456L is observed, resulting in variants with substantial growth advantages, such as EG.5, FL.1.5.1, XBB.1.5.70, and HK.3. Here, we show that neutralizing antibody (NAb) evasion drives the convergent evolution of F456L, while the epistatic shift caused by F456L enables the subsequent convergence of L455F through ACE2 binding enhancement and further immune evasion. L455F and F456L evade RBD-targeting Class 1 public NAbs, reducing the neutralization efficacy of XBB breakthrough infection (BTI) and reinfection convalescent plasma. Importantly, L455F single substitution significantly dampens receptor binding; however, the combination of L455F and F456L forms an adjacent residue flipping, which leads to enhanced NAbs resistance and ACE2 binding affinity. The perturbed receptor-binding mode leads to the exceptional ACE2 binding and NAb evasion, as revealed by structural analyses. Our results indicate the evolution flexibility contributed by epistasis cannot be underestimated, and the evolution potential of SARS-CoV-2 RBD remains high.
Collaborative production model and the animation industry: The role of the Blender community in the making of the Italian short film Arturo e il gabbiano
Authors: Maselli Vincenzo , Di Cecca Luca
Published: December 2023

New ways to produce creative content based on open technologies, co-productions and global networking of experts and non-experts with different skills have affected the animation industry in recent years. Many productions have been possible thanks to the involvement of open source software and online communities sharing suggestions about narratives, technologies and technical issues. This article examines and deconstructs the production phases of the short film in CGI Arturo e il gabbiano, directed by the Italian animator Luca Di Cecca in 2019 and made entirely in Blender, an open source software that experienced a strong development in recent years and focuses on the fundamental contribution provided by the online community to its production. By going through the criticisms, suggestions, feedback and the constant and motivating participation of the Blender community, the article outlines a new production process based on an asynchronous and virtual collaboration of experts and non-experts interested in the project and graphically visualizes it as a multi-circular and inter-connected model. This collaborative approach, furthermore, can have social and educational consequences since it opens to a more democratic and mutual share of technological skills, knowledge and experience.
Analysis of short animated documentary films programmed in key UK festivals: 2016–20
Authors: MacKinnon Carla
Published: December 2023

This study of 144 short UK animated documentaries, exhibited between 2016 and 2020, identifies frequently occurring characteristics in the films’ content and production contexts. Analysis of the films shows that the majority of these films are made by directors from an animation background, rather than from a documentary background, and also shows a high occurrence of films made by female and disabled filmmakers. It also shows that self-funding is frequently adopted in the production of these films, and that the films in the study favour 2D digital and traditional animation techniques over 3D animation. Funding and finance contexts are shown to be broad, and to correlate with trends in theme, for example social issues, health and mental health were more common in films supported by trusts, charities and foundations than those made in other finance contexts. In general, the findings support many of the suggestions and observations that have been made about animated documentary by scholars such as Annabelle Honess Roe, Paul Wells and others. However, they also raise questions, for example the high rate of self-funding, often alongside other sources of funding, suggests potential barriers to entry for those from diverse social-economic backgrounds. This study suggests areas for future research that can be taken up in the field of animated documentary, and contributes to an increased focus on quantitative research alongside qualitative analysis in the study of animated documentary, of short-form film and of films made outside of commercial contexts.
All the world’s a virtual mash-up: Adapting Shakespeare for animated virtual reality
Authors: George Tissina , Jernigan Daniel Keith , Rall Hans-Martin
Published: December 2023

Shakespeare’s global reach is undeniable; one only has to look to Shakespeare’s role in the western literary and cultural canon for proof. With the variety of people staging and watching Shakespeare all over the world, it is to be expected that Shakespeare’s plays are also the target of many adaptations that take advantage of evolving technologies to reach new audiences in new ways. This article briefly addresses common modes of adaptation and its impact on audience engagement before moving onto considering newer technologies – specifically virtual reality (VR) – that have yet to become as well utilized. Investigating the advantages and disadvantages of VR animation allows us to contextualize our own work: ShakesVR, a mash-up of three Shakespeare plays into an animated VR experience. This article also discusses the importance we place on the viewer’s interactions with Shakespeare’s world, our own goals for audience engagement and how these goals influenced our design decisions in ShakesVR.
La gobernanza migratoria en el contexto de la Agenda 2030 y la gestión migratoria Estados Unidos-México
Authors: Ocman Azueta Claudia Anait , Ortega Ramírez Adriana Sletza
Published: December 2023

El artículo analiza las connotaciones que adquiere la gobernanza migratoria en tres escalas. La primera, la gobernanza migratoria global con la Agenda 2030. La segunda es la gobernanza migratoria regional con la Declaración de Los Ángeles sobre Migración y Protección de 2022 en el continente americano. Y la tercera en el ámbito estatal examinando la gestión migratoria de Estados Unidos y México, así como el caso del éxodo venezolano. Las conclusiones enfatizan que la gobernanza migratoria global desafía en sí misma a la propia seguridad y el desarrollo humano de las personas migrantes y refugiadas. Esta tesitura repercute en la Meta 10.7 de la Agenda 2030 y su implementación a través de instrumentos del Soft International Migration Law. Estos se reflejan en una gestión migratoria en la que predomina un enfoque estado-céntrico que prioriza la seguridad de las fronteras en la región en lugar de la seguridad de las personas migrantes y el desarrollo humano sostenible.
Seguridad de golpe y golpes de seguridad: análisis crítico sobre la política de seguridad del gobierno Duque en Colombia
Authors: Niño González César Augusto
Published: December 2023

Este artículo trata de comprender la política de seguridad de Iván Duque en Colombia. Se parte de una revisión de literatura, información oficial y de entrevistas semiestructuradas a personal militar y de inteligencia civil. El artículo explica las nociones de seguridad colombianas enclavadas en la Guerra Fría y la relación de las políticas de Duque sin las FARC-EP como enemigo. El problema a resolver es ¿cómo fue definida la política de seguridad de Colombia en el gobierno de Iván Duque? Esta investigación propone dos categorías que definen la política de seguridad: la seguridad de golpe y golpes de seguridad. La primera como una noción securitaria desde el Estado en la que los triunfos se asociaron con capturas, neutralizaciones y dineros ilícitos decomisados, mientras que la segunda tiene que ver con que dichos triunfos se convirtieron en la medida de definición del éxito de la política de seguridad nacional.
Dimensiones religiosas del conflicto en Ucrania
Authors: Alonso-Lasheras Diego
Published: December 2023

Uno de los factores que ayudan a explicar el conflicto entre Ucrania y Rusia, que ha entrado en estado de guerra total a partir de la invasión rusa de 24 de febrero de 2022, es la religión. Tomando cinco modos en los que las ciencias sociales hablan de religión (identidad, cultura, relación, práctica y poder) el artículo ilumina las dimensiones religiosas del conflicto recorriendo aspectos históricos y cuestiones de actualidad. No se puede decir que el conflicto en curso sea un conflicto religioso y, sin embargo, sin tener en cuenta las dimensiones religiosas de la vida social y política en ambas naciones, no se puede entender del todo el conflicto ruso-ucraniano.
SUBSTRATES FOR THE SURFACE ENHANCED RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY BASED ON NANOPOROUS GLASS ACTIVATED WITH SILVER PARTICLES
Authors: Shakhgildyan G. Y. , Lipatieva T. O. , Gavrilova N. N. , Sergeev I. I. , Tulagin P. E. , Chereuta O. S. , Sigaev V. N.
Published: December 2023

Substrates for the surface enhance Raman spectroscopy (SERS) are being actively developed with the aim of precise detecting of the low concentrations of organic molecules. However, the complexity and cost of substrates manufacturing often limits their applications. In this work, we proposed a simple method for preparing SERS substrates based on the nanoporous glass functionalized with silver particles and demonstrated their efficiency in the detecting of low concentrations of benzoic acid.
EFFECT OF THE SYNTHESIS METHOD ON THE PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES AND PHASE COMPOSITION OF ZIRCONIA
Authors: Mayorov D. V. , Yakovlev K. A.
Published: December 2023

Hydrated zirconia was obtained by solid state synthesis and precipitation. Physicochemical properties and phase composition of calcined hydrated zirconia was investigated by XRD, IR and DSC-TG. Hydrated zirconia obtained by solid state synthesis has lower moisture content and higher filterability to compare with precipitated one. Zirconia precursor synthesis with ammonium carbonate considerable decrease specific surface area to compare with precursor precipitated by ammonium hydroxide or ammonia. Tetragonal and monoclinic zirconia was obtained by hydrated zirconia calcination under 450 °C. Calcination temperature increase up to 600 °C lead to drastically decrease of tetragonal zirconia content. The roast obtained under 1150 °C contain only monoclinic zirconia.
INFLUENCE OF LIQUID FOAMING AGENT DISTRIBUTION ON THE FORMATION OF FOAM GLASS POROUS STRUCTURE
Authors: Gol’tsman B. M. , Yatsenko E. A.
Published: December 2023

It was shown that the use of liquid-phase foaming agents is promising for the synthesis of foam glass. The dynamics of the change in the glass particles size in the process of batch obtaining was studied. It was shown that additional grinding of glass powder particles occurs during the mixing process. The influence of the time of the batch mixing on the structure of the foam glass was investigated. It was shown that the density of the obtained foam glass is directly proportional to the batch mixing duration. Changes in the structure of the material associated with the processes of distribution of a liquid foaming mixture on glass powder particles during mixing and subsequent changes in the dynamics of the glycerol thermal destruction processes were described.
ASSOCIATED SYNTHESIS OF MICROGRANULAR FOAM-GLASS CERAMICS FROM DIATOMACEOUS CLAYS
Authors: Ivanov K. S.
Published: December 2023

The technology of synthesis of porous microgranular material based on diatomaceous clay is considered. The process of foaming microgranules in an industrial furnace was implemented in the way of obtaining granular foam-glass ceramic of coarse fractions. The main properties of microgranular foam-glass ceramic samples were investigated depending on the NaOH content in the charge, as a result of which its composition was optimized to obtain particles with a size of 75 ?m and a minimum content of particles sinking in water. The peculiarity of the porous structure of microgranular foam-glass ceramic makes it possible to obtain more durable lightweight grouting slurries in comparison with the traditional additive. The research results expand the range of materials made of foam-glass ceramic and the raw material base due to the more accessible for development deposits of diatomaceous clays in the arctic regions.