bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Conspiracy Attunement and Context
Authors: Davis Elizabeth Anne
Published: December 2023

Critically engaging with conspiratology—that is, theory about “conspiracy theory”—this chapter takes as a case the 2009 theft of the body of Tassos Papadopoulos, the former president of Cyprus, from his grave. It traces theories and countertheories of the theft published in the Cypriot press in the months afterward to other “conspiracy theories” about the division of Cyprus in 1974 that have circulated for the past five decades. Encompassing and recontextualizing the division of the country and its theorization as conspiracy, the story of the president’s body sheds light on conspiracy attunement in Cyprus: a shared sensibility of knowingness about “conspiracy theory”, promoted and cultivated in a dialogic context of public talk about “conspiracy theory” that is historically deep and recursive in nature. The chapter concludes that conspiracy attunement is a better avenue for comparative analysis than “conspiracy theory” itself.
After Muslims
Authors: Agrama Hussein Ali
Published: December 2023

This chapter explores how some of the historical relations between authority and suspicion work to constitute modern democratic politics and shape modern liberal social imaginaries in order to better understand the contemporary predicaments of Muslims in Euro-America. It highlights a central feature of the modern state that liberal democracies share: the growing need to generate and manage secret knowledge in order to sustain sovereignty. It shows how this process generates a distinctive economy of secrecy and suspicion and a new modality of authority that profoundly impacts conceptions and perceptions of social life within modern liberal social imaginaries, giving rise to particular understandings of truth, citizenship, blasphemy, and Islam within liberal democracies today.
dear elia
Authors: Khúc Mimi
Published: December 2023

In dear elia Mimi Khúc revolutionizes how we understand mental health. Khúc traces the contemporary Asian American mental health crisis from the university into the maw of the COVID-19 pandemic, reenvisioning mental health through a pedagogy of unwellness—the recognition that we are all differentially unwell. In an intimate series of letters, she bears witness to Asian American unwellness up close and invites readers to recognize in it the shapes and sources of their own unwellness. Khúc draws linkages between student experience, the Asian immigrant family, the adjunctification of the university, and teaching methods pre- and post-COVID-19 to illuminate hidden roots of our collective unwellness: shared investments in compulsory wellness and meritocracy. She reveals the university as a central node and engine of unwellness and argues that we can no longer do Asian American studies without Asian American mental health—and vice versa. Interspersed throughout the book are reflective activities, including original tarot cards, that enact the very pedagogy Khúc advances, offering readers alternative ways of being that divest from structures of unwellness and open new possibilities for collective care.
Impact of Timing of Primary Nerve Surgery on Shoulder, Forearm, and Elbow Recovery in Neonatal Brachial Plexus Palsy
Authors: Muhlestein Whitney E. , Chang Kate W.-C. , Justice Denise , Nelson Virginia S. , Saadeh Yamaan S. , Smith Brandon W.
Published: December 2023

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

Neonatal brachial plexus palsy (NBPP) almost universally affects movement at the shoulder, elbow, and forearm. Timing of nerve reconstruction surgery to optimize long-term outcomes remains unknown. This study aimed to determine if timing of nerve reconstruction affects long-term recovery of an active range of motion (AROM) at the shoulder, elbow, and forearm in NBPP.

METHODS:

We interrogated a prospectively collected database of all patients with NBPP who underwent primary nerve surgery at a single tertiary referral center between 2005 and 2020. The cohort was divided into those who underwent surgery at ≤6 or >6 months old and ≤9 or >9 months old. AROM for shoulder abduction, forward flexion, and external rotation, elbow flexion and extension, and forearm supination were collected at each visit.

RESULTS:

Ninety-nine children were included in the analysis; 28 underwent surgery at ≤6 months old, 71 at >6 months, 74 at ≤9 months, and 25 at >9 months. There was no difference in AROM at 5 years for any of the movements between the ≤6- and >6-month groups. The ≤9-month group had significantly better shoulder forward flexion and elbow extension AROM than the >9-month group at a 5-year follow-up and better forearm supination at up to a 15-year follow-up. Patients who presented earlier were more likely to have earlier operations.

CONCLUSION:

Surgery before 9 months may improve long-term upper extremity recovery in NBPP. Early referral should be encouraged to optimize timing of operative intervention.
Third Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Residual Arteriovenous Malformations: A Retrospective Multicenter Study
Authors: Pikis Stylianos , Mantziaris Georgios , Dumot Chloe , Shaaban Ahmed , Protopapa Maria , Xu Zhiyuan , Niranjan Ajay , Wei Zhishuo , Srinivasan Priyanka , Tang Lilly W. , Liscak Roman , May Jaromir , Martinez Moreno Nuria , Martinez Álvarez Roberto , Peker Selcuk , Samanci Yavuz , Nabeel Ahmed M. , Reda Wael A. , Tawadros Sameh R. , Abdelkarim Khaled , El-Shehaby Amr M. N. , Emad Reem M. , Elazzazi Ahmed Hesham , Padmanaban Varun , Jareczek Francis J. , McInerney James , Cockroft Kevin M. , Lunsford Dade , Sheehan Jason P.
Published: December 2023

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

There are no studies evaluating the efficacy and safety of more than 2 stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) procedures for cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVM). The aim of this study was to provide evidence on the role of third single-session SRS for AVM residual.

METHODS:

This multicenter, retrospective study included patients managed with a third single-session SRS procedure for an AVM residual. The primary study outcome was defined as AVM nidus obliteration without AVM bleeding or symptomatic radiation-induced changes (RIC). Secondary outcomes evaluated were AVM obliteration, AVM hemorrhage, asymptomatic, and symptomatic RIC.

RESULTS:

Thirty-eight patients (20/38 [52.6%] females, median age at third SRS 34.5 [IQR 20] years) were included. The median clinical follow-up was 46 (IQR 14.8) months, and 17/38 (44.7%) patients achieved favorable outcome. The 3-year and 5-year cumulative probability rates of favorable outcome were 23% (95% CI = 10%-38%) and 53% (95% CI = 29%-73%), respectively. The cumulative probability of AVM obliteration at 3 and 5 years after the third SRS was 23% (95% CI = 10%-37%) and 54% (95% CI = 29%-74%), respectively. AVM bleeding occurred in 2 patients, and 1 of them underwent subsequent resection. The cumulative probability rate of post-SRS AVM hemorrhage remained constant at 5.3% (95% CI = 1%-16%) during the first 5 years of follow-up. Transient symptomatic RIC managed conservatively occurred in 5/38 patients (13.2%) at a median time of 12.5 (IQR 22.5) months from third SRS. Radiation-induced cyst formation was noted in 1 patient (4.2%) 19 months post-SRS. No mortality, radiation-associated malignancy, or permanent symptomatic RIC was noted during follow-up.

CONCLUSION:

A third single-session SRS to treat a residual intracranial AVM offers obliteration in most patients. The risk of RIC was low, and these effects were transient. While not often required, a third SRS can be performed in patients with persistent residual AVMs.
The Principles of Exercise Prescription for Brain Health in Aging
Authors: Heisz Jennifer J. , Waddington Emma E.
Published: December 2023

Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias are among the world’s greatest health challenges. As the population ages, global dementia rates are rising, and with no imminent cure, there is an urgent need for interventions that reduce the risk of dementia in healthy older adults. Exercise is a promising intervention; however, exercise prescriptions for optimizing brain health are lacking. This may undermine the perceived clinical utility of exercise and pose a barrier that prevents practitioners from prescribing exercise for brain health in primary care settings. This graphical review briefly summarizes the prominent neural changes in healthy aging versus Alzheimer’s disease that exercise counteracts and provides evidence-informed principles for prescribing exercise to improve cognition as a reference point for formulating personalizable prescriptions.
Female Athlete Research Camp: A Unique Model for Conducting Research in High Performance Female Athletes
Authors: McKay Alannah K. A. , Minahan Clare , Harris Rachel , McCormick Rachel , Skinner Jessica , Ackerman Kathryn E. , Burke Louise M.
Published: December 2023

Purpose

To describe the implementation of a novel research protocol for conducting research with highly-trained female athletes, including characterising menstrual cycle (MC) function, hormonal profiles and symptoms of the participating athletes.

Methods

Twenty-four Australian First Nation female Rugby League athletes completed this study, which involved 11 weeks of cycle tracking, followed by attendance at a 5-week training camp. Throughout the study, athletes completed a daily survey, reporting their MC function and any associated symptoms. During the training camp, athletes reported to the laboratory on three occasions and provided a venous blood sample, which was analysed for reproductive hormones. For naturally cycling athletes (athleteNC, n = 11), this included Phase 1, 2 and 4 of the menstrual cycle, whereas athletes using hormonal contraception (athleteHC; n = 13) were tested at three equally spaced time points in which consistent exogenous hormone provision occurred.

Results

In the athleteNC cohort, just one athlete reached criteria for classification as eumenorrheic, with five athletes showing evidence of MC dysfunction. The prevalence of symptoms on any given day was similar between athleteNC (33.7%) and athleteHC (22.9%; p = 0.376), however more symptoms were reported in athleteNC, suggesting that they were more likely to report multiple symptoms. Regardless of MC function, there was a significant, positive association between bleeding and symptoms (p < 0.001), where athletes were more likely to report one or more symptoms on bleeding (50.1%) compared to non-bleeding days (22.0%).

Conclusions

We describe an innovative strategy to investigate the effect of MC function and MC phase in a high-performance sport environment, including approaches to address the challenges of undertaking research with female athletes with MC variability and those using exogenous hormonal therapies.
Cardiorespiratory and Neuromuscular Improvements Plateau after Two Weeks of Sprint Interval Training in Sedentary Individuals
Authors: Lloria-Varella Jaume , Koral Jérôme , Ravel Antoine , Murias Juan Manuel , Féasson Léonard , Busso Thierry
Published: December 2023

Introduction

Previous studies ranging from 2 to 12 weeks of sprint interval training (SIT) have reported improvements in maximal oxygen uptake (V̇O2max) and neuromuscular function in sedentary populations. However, whether the time course of the changes in these variables correlate with greater training volumes, is unclear.

Methods

13 sedentary participants performed three all-out training weekly sessions involving 15-s sprints interspersed with 2 minutes of recovery on a cycle-ergometer. The 6-week training program was composed of three identical blocks of 2-weeks in which training volume was increased from 10 to 14 repetitions over the first four sessions and reduced to 8 in the last session. The power output and the heart rate (HR) were monitored during the sessions. The V̇O2max, the power-force-velocity profile (PFVP) and the isometric force were assessed every two weeks from baseline.

Results

A significant increase in V̇O2max was observed from the second week plateauing thereafter despite four additional weeks of training. The dynamic force production increased from the second week and the speed production decreased by the end of the protocol. The isometric force and the maximal power output from the PFVP did not change. Importantly, the time spent at high percentages of the maximal HR during the training sessions was lower in the second and third training block compared to the first.

Conclusions

SIT resulted in a effective approach for rapidly increasing V̇O2max and, no change in the isometric force was found, cycling-specific neuromuscular adaptations were observed from the second week of training. SIT may be useful in the short-term but further improvement of overall physical fitness might need other training modalities like endurance and/or resistance training.
Diaspora: Bir “Anomalinin” Yeniden Değerlendirilmesi
Authors: Özdemir Oğuzhan
Published: December 2023

Çoğu zaman eksik ya da yanlış kavramsallaştırılmış olduğu iddia edilse de hem tarihsel ve hem de modern anlamlarıyla diaspora, disiplinler arası bir alan olarak tanımlanabilecek diaspora çalışmalarını ve gündelik politika alanlarını şekillendirmeye devam etmektedir. Ne var ki, ilgili literatürün diaspora yaklaşımına dair kavramsal arka planı, ulus-devletler sistemi içerisinde çoğu zaman sabit bir “anomali” veya meydan okuma olarak nitelendirilen, çokça hissi ve soyut kavramlarla ifade edilen, bir o kadar da tanımlayıcı ve sınırlayıcı olan diaspora yaklaşımlarını referans almaktadır. Bu çalışma, son yıllarda ilgili alanda ortaya çıkan yeni gelişmeler ve diaspora literatürüne müdahaleler açısından teorik tartışmaların ve çeşitli diasporik öznelliklerin ampirik örneklerinin bir arada değerlendirilmesiyle kendinden sonraki akademik tartışmalara ve yerel politik gündemin bir öznesi olan “Türk Diasporası”, “Ermeni diasporası” gibi çalışmalara yöntemsel ve kavramsal konularda katkı sağlamayı amaçlamaktadır. Bu amaçla makale, klasik diaspora çalışmalarının hareket noktası olan dağılma (dispersion), anavatan yönelimi (homeland-orientation) ve sınırların devamlılığı (boundary-maintenance) varsayımlarına ilişkin güncel meydan okumaları bir araya getirerek anavatan-kimlik eksenine sıkışmış kavramsallaştırma karşısında sosyal bilimlerin mikro-milliyetçilik, sınırların geçişkenliği, entegrasyon, asimilasyon ve çeşitli formlarıyla transnasyonalizm üzerine genişleyen coğrafyalarını referans alan bir yaklaşımın gerekliliğini ortaya koymaktadır.
Building student loyalty in higher education: the role of corporate reputation
Authors: Raja Estacio Dinazarte Omar
Published: December 2023

Background Reputation is a vital asset for Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) as it constitutes a source of competitive advantage because it works as a quality sign for the stakeholders. Because of globalisation, decreasing funding and the changing environment in the Mozambican higher education market, HEIs need to build a favourable reputation to stay relevant. This research aims to study how a university’s reputation can influence student loyalty. Methods Utilizing a descriptive and analytical methodology, a quantitative investigation was carried out by surveying 402 students enrolled in higher education institution (HEI) courses in Mozambique. The research employed a survey questionnaire to directly collect information from the study participants. Results The study concluded that university reputation affects student loyalty, as the relationship between both variables is statistically significant. All dimensions of HEIs reputation, namely, academic competence, social attractiveness, and responsible management, positively impact student loyalty. Although, the latter variable did not have a statistically significant impact, contradicting the current theoretical framework. Conclusions The study’s findings suggest that corporate reputation has a favorable impact on student loyalty, demonstrating a significant relationship between the two factors. Therefore,improve student retention, HEIs should seek to enhance their academic competence and social attractiveness. Furure research The study suggests future research should address sample composition issues by increasing representation from underrepresented groups. It recommends a more in-depth exploration of the responsible management construct, advocating for the inclusion of context-specific indicators. Furthermore, the study proposes investigating additional factors to enhance the understanding of the relationship between university reputation and student loyalty.
Interactions between special education teachers and children with chronic complex conditions: A qualitative study
Authors: Fujino Haruo , Matsumoto Megumi , Mieno Aya
Published: December 2023

Background The number of children with complex medical conditions has increased in recent decades. In this context, a complex chronic condition is characterized by multiple morbidities that require intensive or continuous health care according to the level of severity. Given their various health conditions, it is challenging to provide special education to these children, but there is still insufficient evidence regarding the practical experiences of educators. The aim of this study was to investigate special education teacher’s perceptions, experiences, and challenges while developing interpersonal relationships and communicating with children who have complex chronic conditions. Methods We recruited and interviewed 21 special education school teachers in Japan. The transcripts of the interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results Our analysis revealed four themes, including “searching for the meaning,” “complex chronic conditions as a difficult reality,” “widening experience for the future,” and “priority for interacting with children.” These themes reflect the perceptions, experiences, and challenges of the special education teachers. Conclusions In cases where children have severe functional limitations, it is more challenging to understand child-teacher interactions. This highlights the importance of searching for meaning in educational practices used among children with complex chronic conditions. Our findings may provide helpful insight into the experiences and challenges faced by special educators who engage with these children.
Modified recurrent equation-based cubic spline interpolation for missing data recovery in phasor measurement unit (PMU)
Authors: Thangaraj Shruthi , Goh Vik Tor , Yap Timothy Tzen Vun
Published: December 2023

Background Smart grid systems require high-quality Phasor Measurement Unit (PMU) data for proper operation, control, and decision-making. Missing PMU data may lead to improper actions or even blackouts. While the conventional cubic interpolation methods based on the solution of a set of linear equations to solve for the cubic spline coefficients have been applied by many researchers for interpolation of missing data, the computational complexity increases non-linearly with increasing data size. Methods In this work, a modified recurrent equation-based cubic spline interpolation procedure for recovering missing PMU data is proposed. The recurrent equation-based method makes the computations of spline constants simpler. Using PMU data from the State Load Despatch Center (SLDC) in Madhya Pradesh, India, a comparison of the root mean square error (RMSE) values and time of calculation (ToC) is calculated for both methods. Results The modified recurrent relation method could retrieve missing values 10 times faster when compared to the conventional cubic interpolation method based on the solution of a set of linear equations. The RMSE values have shown the proposed method is effective even for special cases of missing values (edges, continuous missing values). Conclusions The proposed method can retrieve any number of missing values at any location using observed data with a minimal number of calculations.
DEVELOPMENT OF SOFTWARE TO AUTOMATE THE PREPARATION OF THE CLIENT BASE FOR THE FORMATION OF THE EXECUTION ENVIRONMENT UPDATE
Authors: Khamidullin Marat R. , Gareeva Gulnara A. , Petrochenko Vladimir A. , Filatov Yuri M. , Abdullin Danil M.
Published: December 2023

The development of software products for process automation is becoming more and more in demand. One of the main directions is the creation of software to automate the preparation of the client base to form the execution environment update, which allows the business to significantly simplify and optimize this process.

Purpose: describe the development of a program in C# using MS Visual Studio 2019 to automate writing data to a MySQL database and adding them to an HTML page, including receiving data from the user and creating a convenient and intuitive interface.

Method and methodology of the work: description of the development of a program in C# using MS Visual Studio 2019 to automate writing data to a MySQL database and adding them to an HTML page with a user-friendly interface.

Results: program with a UI interface has been developed to automate the preparation of the client base for the formation of an update.

Scope of the results: programming, automation of writing data to a MySQL database and adding it to an HTML page.
AUTOMOBILE CRANES QUANTITY DETERMINATION FOR MAIN GAS PIPELINES CONSTRUCTION AND REPAIR
Authors: Zakharov Nikolai S. , Sapozhenkov Nikolai O. , Rakitin Vladimir A. , Petrov Vyacheslav S.
Published: December 2023

Russia’s dominance in the global energy market is predetermined by the scale and development prospects of gas transmission infrastructure to ensure a continuous cycle of gas supply from fields to end consumers. Operating conditions of gas production, processing, transportation, storage and distribution facilities are associated with the influence of environmental factors, which varies greatly due to the length of pipelines covering all climatic regions of the country. The growth in the length of new pipelines and the need to repair existing pipelines based on the results of in-line diagnostics contribute to an increase in the volume of loading and unloading operations and the storage of pipes, therefore, studies on improving methods for determining the need for truck cranes when for constructions organizing technological processes and repair of main gas pipelines are relevant.

The purpose of the study is to determine the efficiency of truck cranes operation in the process of main gas pipelines overhaul and construction.

The scientific novelty is formed by the patterns of formation of the cost and labor intensity of loading, depending on the load capacity of a truck crane and the unloading pipes parameters.

The research methodology is based on a systematic approach, methods for analyzing the technical operation of vehicles and proven data processing techniques.

The recommendations made as a result of this study have been implemented to organize preparatory work at major main gas pipelines overhaul facilities and construction, which increases the efficiency of processes, optimizes the structure of special vehicles and reduces the cost of technological operations.
Nobel Laureates in Economics in the 21st century: in 3 volumes.
Authors: Hudokormov Aleksandr , Danilenko Ekaterina , Kanashkina Anastasiya , Ivahnenko Tat'yana , Stavniychuk Anna , Vinopal Mayya
Published: December 2023

Volume 3 includes articles dedicated to the winners of the Nobel Prize in Economics for 2017-2022: R. Thaler, W. Nordhaus, P. Romer, E. Duflo, A. Banerjee, M. Kremer, R. Wilson. The biographies of scientists, their main ideas are considered, and their contribution to the development of economic theory is evaluated.
For students of economic universities and anyone interested in economic theory and the history of economic thought.
Modeling of processes in bent beams with dispersed reinforcement under alternating influences
Authors: Nikolenko S. , Sazonova Svetlana
Published: December 2023

The results of studies of the effect of dispersed reinforcement on the behavior of structures under static load of one sign or alternating static load under reinforcement with relatively long fibers are considered. The developed mathematical models and methods of experimental investigation of the behavior of beam elements with dispersed and combined reinforcement under alternating static effects, based on mathematical planning using a specially manufactured frame, are presented. The behavior of fibro-reinforced concrete and reinforced concrete beam elements under similar influences is compared. The results of experimental studies of cubes and prisms for static and compression are considered. The presented results of experimental studies allow us to conclude about the influence of dispersed reinforcement with relatively short fibers on the behavior of beam structures under alternating low-cycle static effects and the feasibility of combined reinforcement of structures operating under such influences. The results of the full-scale experiment are compared with the results of numerical modeling of processes in the studied structural elements. It is revealed that the use of dispersed reinforcement with relatively short fibers in combined reinforced beam structures operating under alternating influences will increase the crack resistance, and with a certain percentage of reinforcement, the strength of such structures. At the same time, the use of relatively short fibers will significantly reduce the complexity of manufacturing such structures.
Neuroendocrine-immune relationships at rats regardless of sex and exposure to stressors or adaptogens
Authors: Plyska Oleksandr , Vorobienko Alyona , Yanchii Roman , Żukow Xawery
Published: December 2023

Introduction and aim. Since the discovery of the famous Selye triad, studies of the connections between adaptation hormones and the immune system have remained relevant. We formulated the aim of the future study: in the mode of synchronicity, to reveal sexual differences in the parameters of the neuroendocrine-immune complex and the state of neuroendocrine-immune relationships in intact rats and exposed to stressors and adaptogens. This article initiates the beginning of the movement towards achieving the goal.
Material and methods. The experiment is at 96 rats Wistar line: 48 males and 48 females. Over the 12 days, one male and female rat remained intact and 3 other pairs were exposed to chronic aversive stress for 6 days. We calculated the parameters of the HRV: Mode, Amplitude of the mode and Variational scope as markers of the circulating catecholamines, sympathetic and vagal tones respectively. Among endocrine parameters determined excretion of 17-Ketosteroides and serum levels of main adaptation hormones such as Corticosterone, Aldosterone, Testosterone, Triiodothyronine, as well as Parathyroid hormone and Calcitonin. The percentage of lymphocyte populations and the parameters of phagocytosis by neutrophils and monocytes of Staphylococcus aureus were determined in the blood. The Thymus and Spleen were weighed and made smears-imprints for counting Thymocytogram and Splenocytogram.
Results. The canonical correlation between neuroendocrine and immune parameters was analyzed. The most pronounced immunomodulatory effect is exerted by catecholamines (R=0.928), sympathetic tone (R=0.849), and testosterone (R=0.829). Vagal tone (R=0.697), 17-ketosteroides (R=0.688), and aldosterone (R=0.686) moderately modulate immunity, while the immunomodulatory effects of triiodothyronine (R=0.610), corticosterone (R=0.584), PTH (R=0.510), and calcitonin (R=0.423) are the least pronounced. Three pairs of canonical roots were found. The neuroendocrine root of the first pair determines the parameters of immunity by 95.7%, the second pair by 86.5%, and the third pair by 69.2%. The elements of the Thymocytogram (in descending order: epitheliocytes, lymphocytes, endotheliocytes, lymphoblasts, and macrophages), the phagocytic activity of blood neutrophils and monocytes, the relative content of NK- and B-lymphocytes in the blood, as well as the percentage of lymphocytes and macrophages in the Splenocytogram turned out to be most influenced by neuroendocrine factors.
Conclusion. There is a close canonical correlation between registered neuroendocrine factors and immunity parameters in general. At the same time, both the severity of the immunomodulatory activity of individual neuroendocrine factors and the subjection to the regulatory influence of individual parameters of immunity differ significantly.
A mother’s diet as a predictor of her child’s current and future health
Authors: Łoboda Dorota
Published: December 2023

The body’s ‘nutritional programming’ scheme assumes that the influence of environmental factors during the so-called “critical periods’” of human development associated with, among other things, excessive or deficient nutrients can lead to permanent metabolic changes. The negative impact of external factors, poor nutrition, different gene expression during the fetal period with accompanying fetal growth retardation can permanently “reprogram” the metabolism and the course of many physiological processes, causing metabolic complications in adulthood. More and more researchers and theoreticians are considering and verifying the relationship between the early influence of environmental factors and the occurrence of civilisation diseases in the context of nutritional programming. Recently, many researchers have pointed out that the infant years are a critical time for metabolic programming.
The impact of a pregnant woman’s nutrition on the development of obesity, cardiovascular disease, insulin resistance or metabolic syndrome in her child’s later life has been empirically proven. Similar results have been reported for the importance of breastfeeding and also of nutritional deficiencies or excesses in the first 1000 days of the child. This period is particularly susceptible to all the factors that affect the body and builds the foundations of the child’s broader health at present and in the future. The aim of this study is to show, on the basis of an analysis of research reports, that both woman’s nutrition during the pre-conceptional period and during pregnancy, as well as her child’s nutrition after birth, are of crucial importance for the child’s development and somatic health.

Keywords: child health, feeding, metabolic programming, nutrition, pregnancy.
The analysis of unused medications and other products returned by patients to selected public pharmacies in Poland
Authors: Mundzik-Janczarska Ewelina , Stańczak Andrzej
Published: December 2023

The issue of expired and unused medications is a significant matter worthy of analysis. The study focused on the analysis of pharmaceutical products returned to public pharmacies, with particular emphasis on expired drugs and those returned within their expiration date, along with an economic assessment of the returned products.
The research methodology relied on the analysis of products returned by patients to public pharmacies in the Mazovian voivodeship. The analysis encompassed the content of containers containing expired medications in terms of their expiration date, pharmaceutical form, active ingredient, ATC classification, drug availability category, and monetary value. The analyzed products belonged to various categories, including: medicines, dietary supplements, medical devices, specialized medical foods, cosmetics, biocidal products, and hygiene items.
The study revealed that 75.75% of the returned products were drugs. Among the most frequently returned active ingredients was paracetamol, and prescription medications were the predominant category among the returned products. The most commonly returned therapeutic products belonged to the groups related to the Gastrointestinal and Metabolism, Respiratory System, and Nervous System. The economic evaluation showed that the value of returned products was significantly lower for expired items compared to those within their expiration date. The total value of the returned products amounted to 42 218.07 PLN.
In summary, the issue of medication waste presents a challenge that requires a comprehensive approach, such as public education and the proposal of efficient solutions.

Keywords: unused drugs, drug wastage, expired drugs.
RODA DE LEITURA VIRTUAL: DESAFIOS E POSSIBILIDADES PARA O LETRAMENTO LITERÁRIO EM TEMPOS DE PANDEMIA
Authors: Corrêa Cintia Chung Marques , Mendonça Monica Cruz Vieira , Pedro Vivian Ventura Tomé
Published: December 2023

Este artigo apresenta os resultados obtidos a partir da implementação, em ambiente virtual, do projeto de intervenção pedagógica “Roda de leitura: Quem conta um conto supera desafios!”, com alunos do 6º ano de uma escola pública do município de Juiz de Fora, em Minas Gerais. O estudo utilizou a pesquisa-ação como referencial metodológico (TRIPP, 2005), tendo como objetivo principal descrever e analisar o processo de planejamento, implementação e avaliação do referido projeto que buscou ampliar os horizontes literários, sociais e digitais dos estudantes, durante o período de ensino remoto, devido à pandemia de COVID-19. Para tanto, fizemos uma releitura dos estudos de Rildo Cosson (2021) sobre letramento literário e de Jauss (1979) sobre a teoria da Estética da Recepção e desenvolvemos sequências didáticas, correlacionando-as ao Método Recepcional, proposto por Bordini e Aguiar (1993). Para organizar didaticamente as atividades, utilizamos diferentes ferramentas tecnológicas aplicadas em ambiente virtual, por meio de metodologias ativas (BACICH, 2018). Como resultado deste projeto de intervenção pedagógica, verificamos que, a partir da formação de rodas de leitura virtuais, os educandos demonstraram consciência da ampliação de horizontes tanto literários quanto sociais e digitais. Sendo assim, as considerações finais deste estudo apontam para o amadurecimento de discussões e propostas acerca das experimentações com a leitura literária na escola e a utilização de ferramentas tecnológicas na educação.Palavras-chave: Roda de leitura virtual. Metodologias ativas. Letramento literário
Managing neurogenic bowel dysfunction after spinal cord injury
Authors: Sarhan Firas , Sarhan Kenaan
Published: December 2023

Spinal cord injury is a serious injury that can result in a series of complications that will impact the injured individual and their families. One of these complications is bowel dysfunction. The individual with spinal cord injury could have a total loss of bowel function and control post-injury, which can result in pain and discomfort. Establishing a safe and sustainable bowel programme is essential to controlling bowel movement and improving overall quality of life. The aims of this article are to provide healthcare professionals with an understanding of the impact of spinal cord injury on bowel function and to help establish a successful bowel programme for patients. In particular, how spinal cord injury affects and impacts bowel control; establishing goals of a bowel management programme for individuals; reviewing factors involved in establishing a successful bowel management regimen following spinal cord injury.
Transforming neurology services
Authors: Thomas Sue
Published: December 2023

NHS England has established a Neurology Service Transformation Programme, following publication of the neurology GIRFT programme, to ensure recommendations from the GIRFT neurology review are implemented. This is now a dedicated transforming workspace available to neurology healthcare professionals, where updates on progress, guidance and tools to support whole-system transformation can be accessed. Sue Thomas outlines the initial areas that Transform Neurology is working on.
The 2023 BANN Conference: overview and highlights
Authors: Nolan Deirdre , O’Rourke Ciara
Published: December 2023

In this month’s BANN Pages, Deirdre Nolan and Ciara O’Rourke provide an overview of the BANN’s 52nd autumn conference, which was held in Dublin, Ireland.
Upflow Anaerobic Floating Filter (UAFF) Improved the Performance of the Anaerobic Treatment of Brackish Aquaculture Waste
Authors: Chiumenti Alessandro , Owono Bartolomè Owono , Da Borso Francesco
Published: December 2023

Highlights

Fish hatchery RAS thickened wastewater was successfully treated by anaerobic digestion.

Traditional complete mix digester (CSTR) configuration was compared to the UAFF, an upflow anaerobic floating filter.

UAFF start-up resulted faster and more productive than in conventional reactors (188 compared to 100 NmL CH4/g VS).

At steady conditions, yields of 190.5 and 180.9 NmL CH4/g VS were recorded, for UAFF and CSTR respectively.

Abstract. Thickened wastewater from a fish hatchery recirculating water system (RAS) was successfully treated by anaerobic digestion, showing a high methane potential in brackish and marine conditions. To optimize the process and establish operational criteria for a full-scale transfer, pilot-scale tests were carried out in a BioReactor Simulator System (BRS, Bioprocesscontrol, Sweden). The BRS consists of 6 reactors with a volume of 1.8 L each: 3 reactors operated in conventional configuration (CSTR, continuous stirred tank reactor), while the other 3 were modified with an up-flow fixed bed layout, with floating plastic filling elements (UAFF, upflow anaerobic floating filter). The objective of the present paper was the comparison of the performance of the UAFF and the CSTR anaerobic systems both in the initial colonization batch process, and in the following continuous process. The batch test was performed in 72 days by treating aquaculture sludge inoculated with brackish digestate, for the CSTRs, and with the biofilm of the plastic media for the UAFFs. The following continuous loading phase was characterized by start-up and steady steps. The tests were performed in mesophilic conditions. The start-up in the UAFF reactors resulted significantly faster and more productive than in conventional reactors, with specific yields reaching 187.9 NmL CH4/g VS compared to 100.0 NmL CH4/g VS. During the following steady phase, with the retention time of 20 days, the specific yields increased in all digesters but the differences between the 2 types of reactors were not significant, even if favorable for the UAFF (190.5 and 180.9 NmL CH4/g VS, respectively for UAFF and CSTR). Keywords: Anaerobic digestion, Anaerobic filter, Aquaculture, Biogas, Biomethane, Brackish and marine wastewater, Fish farm effluents.
A new AI-based method for clustering survey responses
Authors: Laskowski Jan Franciszek , Tomiło Paweł
Published: December 2023

Objectives

Many research projects, particularly in social science research, depend on clustering survey responses. When analyzing survey data, traditional clustering algorithms have several drawbacks. The ability to analyze survey data more effectively has been made possible by recent developments in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). The aim of this article is to present a new, AI-based method of clustering survey responses using a Variational Autoencoder (VAE).

Material and methods

To determine the effectiveness of grouping, the new VAE clustering method was compared with K-means, PCA and k-means, and Agglomerative Hierarchical Clustering methods by applying the Silhouette score, the Calinski-Harabasz score, and the Davies-Bouldin score metrics.

Results

In the case of the Silhouette Score, the developed VAE method obtained a 69% higher average effectiveness of clustering survey responses than the others. For the Calinski-Harabasz Score and the Davies-Bouldin Score, respectively, the VAE method outperformed the other methods by 164% and 111%, respectively.

Conclusions

The VAE method allowed for the most effective grouping of responses given by respondents. It has made it possible to capture complex relationships and patterns in the data. In addition, the method is suitable for analyzing different types of survey data (continuous, categorical, and mixed data) and is resistant to noise and missing data.
Impact of fuel price changes on the perception of the financial situation of households in Poland
Authors: Ociesa Kinga , Majek Adrian
Published: December 2023

Cel pracy

Celem artykułu była ocena wpływu zmian cen paliw na postrzeganie sytuacji finansowej przez gospodarstwa domowe w Polsce.

Materiał i metody

Badanie przeprowadzono metodą ankietową na grupie 1000 losowo wybranych mieszkańców Polski. Kwestionariusz zawierał 26 pytań, a badanie zostało zrealizowane od 16 stycznia do 15 lutego 2023 roku. Uzyskane wyniki badań ankietowych zostały poddane testom statystycznym w celu weryfikacji postawionych hipotez.

Wyniki

Otrzymane wyniki dowodzą, że dynamiczne zmiany cen na rynku paliw oddziałują na funkcjonowanie gospodarstw domowych. Zwiększają obciążenie budżetu domowego, wpływają na podejmowanie decyzji o zmianie stacji paliw, jak również powodują konieczność ograniczania zakupów paliwa w celu spłaty zadłużenia.

Wnioski

Zmiany cen paliw oraz niepewne otoczenie społeczno-gospodarcze wpływają na sytuację finansową gospodarstw domowych. Gwałtowne wzrosty mogą spowodować nadmierne obciążenie budżetu domowego. Gospodarstwa domowe powinny wnikliwie analizować budżet i dostosowywać wydatki do bieżących możliwości, tak aby zapobiegać pogorszeniu sytuacji finansowej, co może w następstwie spowodować spowolnienie całej gospodarki. Ponadto, biorąc pod uwagę ostatnie wydarzenia związane ze wzrostem cen energii oraz trendem ekologicznym w transporcie istotne wydaje się przeprowadzenie badań dotyczących wpływu tych czynników na obciążenie budżetu domowego oraz sposobów poszukiwania oszczędności.
The Concept of a Talent Management System in the Example of a Selected Enterprise
Authors: Wątróbka Wiktoria , Bis Jakub , Dudek Dariusz
Published: December 2023

Cel pracy

Celem artykułu jest zdiagnozowanie gotowości badanego przedsiębiorstwa do wdrożenia systemu zarządzania talentami oraz (w przypadku potwierdzenia hipotezy) opracowanie odpowiedniego planu.

Materiał i metody

Zespół badawczy zdecydował się na metodę badań ankietowych w której wykorzystano kwestionariusz ankiety składający się z 6 sekcji obejmujących różne aspekty funkcjonowania organizacji. Zbadano proces rekrutacji, komunikację wewnętrzną, potencjał pracowniczy, atmosferę w firmie, procesy zarządcze oraz system pracy. Kwestionariusz zawierał 49 pytań. Kwestionariusz trafił do wszystkich pracowników organizacji, a wypełniło go ponad 75% (104) zatrudnionych.

Wyniki

Na podstawie przeprowadzonych badań w zakresie gotowości badanego przedsiębiorstwa do wdrożenia systemu zarządzania talentami, można stwierdzić, że organizacja stoi przed znaczącymi wyzwaniami, które wymagają kompleksowego podejścia do zarządzania zasobami ludzkimi. Badania ujawniły, że istnieje niskie zaangażowanie pracowników w rekrutacje wewnętrzne oraz niedostateczne wykorzystanie ich potencjału, co wskazuje na potrzebę opracowania indywidualnych planów rozwoju. Dodatkowo, obecne niedostatki w komunikacji wewnętrznej i operacjonalizacji celów strategicznych firmy, wymagają natychmiastowej uwagi.

Wnioski

wyniki badań ukazują, że przedsiębiorstwo wymaga zdecydowanych działań w obszarach komunikacji, zarządzania talentami oraz motywacji pracowników. Proponowany program zarządzania talentami, opracowany na podstawie badań empirycznych i sugestii pracowników, ma potencjał do znacznego usprawnienia tych obszarów. Jego wdrożenie może przyczynić się do zwiększenia zaangażowania i satysfakcji pracowników oraz do długoterminowego sukcesu przedsiębiorstwa poprzez lepsze wykorzystanie kompetencji i potencjału innowacyjnego zasobów ludzkich.
Digital mindset of Polish companies in the light of research
Authors: Paździor Artur Piotr , Caputa Wiesława Jolanta , Krawczyk-Sokołowska Izabela
Published: December 2023

Cel pracy

Identyfikacja kluczowych atrybutów myślenia cyfrowego oraz identyfikacja luk w zakresie cyfrowego sposobu myślenia, jakie obserwowane są w polskich przedsiębiorstwach.

Materiał i metody

W pracy wykorzystano wyniki własnych badań ankietowych, które skupiały się na ocenie świadomości cyfrowej polskich przedsiębiorstw. Badania te zostały wykonane w okresie czerwiec-wrzesień 2023 roku na losowej próbie 1000 przedsiębiorstw.
W kontekście oceny stopnia zaawansowania myślenia cyfrowego w kwestionariuszu użyto 24 stwierdzeń, które respondenci oceniali w oparciu o 7-mio stopniową skalę Likerta.
Dane zbierano poprzez system CAWI w oparciu o kwestionariusz, w którym respondenci reprezentujący firmy wyrażali swoje opinie dotyczące: własnego postępowania, stosunku przełożonych, a w efekcie i warunków jakie stworzyła firma dla podejmowania określonych działań.

Wyniki

Badania empiryczne pozwoliły na stwierdzenie, że w polskich przedsiębiorstwach widoczne są luki w zakresie myślenia cyfrowego. Chociaż na tym etapie badań trudno określić ich poziom, stwierdzić można, że dotyczą wszystkich objętych badaniami obszarów. Są one jednak szczególnie niepokojące w zakresie: gotowości pracowników do akceptacji zmian, skłonności przedsiębiorstw do akceptacji ryzyka, oraz tworzenia warunków do samodzielnego a zarazem odpowiedzialnego działania.

Wnioski

Świadomość cyfrową utożsamiać można z kompetencjami cyfrowymi pod warunkiem rozszerzenia ich zakresu o kompetencje mentalne, a więc pewne cechy osobowościowe czy dyspozycje behawioralne. U podstaw tak rozumianych kompetencji leży sposób myślenia cyfrowego, które jest ukierunkowane na rozwój. To w perspektywie firmy wymusza m.in.: myślenie w kategoriach wartości klienta, otwartość na współpracę, gotowość uczenia się i zdobywania doświadczeń, odwagę działania, czy innowacyjność.
Taxation of parking place in residential buildings. Glosa to the judgment of the constitutional
court of 18 October 2023 ref. Act No SK 23/19
Authors: Tomasz Wołowiec Tomasz , Kępa Monika , Florek Iwona
Published: December 2023

On 18 October 2023, the Constitutional Tribunal handed down its second 'revolutionary' verdict in three months on the grounds of property tax (ref. SK 23/19), once again stating the unconstitutionality of the provisions of the law governing it - this time only with regard to a specific interpretation of the provisions. Indeed, the Court found that both the definition of a building and the provisions on property tax rates are unconstitutional to the extent that they would result in the recognition that garages with separate ownership located in residential buildings are to be taxed at the rate for other (higher) buildings and not at the rate provided for residential buildings.
THE EMPIRIC ANTIMICROBIAL THERAPY: THE COMPARISON OF INITIAL CHOICE WITH THE RESULTS OF MICROBIOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS. AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY
Authors:   Military Institute of Aviation Medicine, Warsaw, Poland, Tomaszewski Dariusz , Guzek Aneta ,   Military Institute of Medicine, Warsaw, Poland, Rybicki Zbigniew ,   Military Institute of Medicine, Warsaw, Poland
Published: December 2023

Introduction: Hospital infections are serious medical problem, causing deterioration in patients’ outcome, prolonged hospital stay and increase costs of hospitalization. Rapid administration of wide spectrum antimicrobial agents is a well known way to increase patient survival rate. Aim: To analyze the efficacy of initial empiric antimicrobial treatment in a large academic hospital. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, the initial choice of empiric therapy was compared with the results of the microbiological investigation and the susceptibility/resistance of isolated pathogens. Results: Between February 1, 2018 and February 1, 2020, a total number of 267 samples were analyzed. Amongst all 267 samples 163 (61%) were positive and 104 (39%) were negative. In those 163 samples 247 pathogens were isolated. In empirical therapy the most frequently administered antibiotic was meropenem (55/267, 20.6%), vancomycin (16/267, 6%), meropenem with vancomycin (14/267, 5.2%), ceftazidime (11/267, 4.1%), and imipenem/cilastatin (5/267, 1.9%). The total number of samples where the empiric therapy corresponded with the results of microbiological tests was 166. There were forty-seven (28.3%) Gram positive bacteria, including 11 MRSA and 1 VRE, and 119 (71.7%) Gram negative pathogens, including 35 K. pneumoniae ESBL+, 12 A. baumannii, and 2 E. coli ESBL+. In 81 cases, the isolated pathogens were resistant to empirically administered drugs. The empiric antimicrobial therapy complied with the results of microbiological analyses in 67.2% (166/247) of cases. Conclusion: In our center, meropenem and vancomycin seem to be a good choice in empiric therapy.