bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Why are different estimates of the effective reproductive number so different? A case study on COVID-19 in Germany
Authors: Brockhaus Elisabeth K. , Wolffram Daniel , Stadler Tanja , Osthege Michael , Mitra Tanmay , Littek Jonas M. , Krymova Ekaterina , Klesen Anna J. , Huisman Jana S. , Heyder Stefan , Helleckes Laura M. , an der Heiden Matthias , Funk Sebastian , Abbott Sam , Bracher Johannes
Published: November 2023

The effective reproductive number Rt has taken a central role in the scientific, political, and public discussion during the COVID-19 pandemic, with numerous real-time estimates of this quantity routinely published. Disagreement between estimates can be substantial and may lead to confusion among decision-makers and the general public. In this work, we compare different estimates of the national-level effective reproductive number of COVID-19 in Germany in 2020 and 2021. We consider the agreement between estimates from the same method but published at different time points (within-method agreement) as well as retrospective agreement across eight different approaches (between-method agreement). Concerning the former, estimates from some methods are very stable over time and hardly subject to revisions, while others display considerable fluctuations. To evaluate between-method agreement, we reproduce the estimates generated by different groups using a variety of statistical approaches, standardizing analytical choices to assess how they contribute to the observed disagreement. These analytical choices include the data source, data pre-processing, assumed generation time distribution, statistical tuning parameters, and various delay distributions. We find that in practice, these auxiliary choices in the estimation of Rt may affect results at least as strongly as the selection of the statistical approach. They should thus be communicated transparently along with the estimates.
How effective were Australian Quarantine Stations in mitigating transmission aboard ships during the influenza pandemic of 1918-19?
Authors: Alahakoon Punya , Taylor Peter G. , McCaw James M.
Published: November 2023

The influenza pandemic of 1918-19 was the most devastating pandemic of the 20th century. It killed an estimated 50–100 million people worldwide. In late 1918, when the severity of the disease was apparent, the Australian Quarantine Service was established. Vessels returning from overseas and inter-state were intercepted, and people were examined for signs of illness and quarantined. Some of these vessels carried the infection throughout their voyage and cases were prevalent by the time the ship arrived at a Quarantine Station. We study four outbreaks that took place on board the Medic, Boonah, Devon, and Manuka in late 1918. These ships had returned from overseas and some of them were carrying troops that served in the First World War. By analysing these outbreaks under a stochastic Bayesian hierarchical modeling framework, we estimate the transmission rates among crew and passengers aboard these ships. Furthermore, we ask whether the removal of infectious, convalescent, and healthy individuals after arriving at a Quarantine Station in Australia was an effective public health response.
Using genetic comparisons of populations from Arizona, Mexico, and Texas to investigate fall armyworm migration in the American southwest
Authors: Nagoshi Rodney N. , Tessnow Ashley E. , Carrière Yves , Bradshaw Jeff , Harrington Kyle , Sword Gregory A. , Meagher Robert L.
Published: November 2023

Fall armyworm (FAW) is a global agricultural pest, causing substantial economic losses in corn and many other crops. Complicating efforts to control this pest is its capacity for long distance flights, which has been described in greatest detail for the central and eastern sections of the United States. FAW infestations are also routinely found in agricultural areas in southern Arizona, which lie beyond the western limits of the mapped migratory pathways. Climate suitability analysis found that the affected Arizona locations cannot support permanent FAW populations, indicating that these FAW most likely arise from annual migrations. A better understanding of this migration would provide insights into how large moth populations can move across desert habitats as well as the degree of gene flow occurring between FAW populations across the North American continent. In this study the Arizona populations were genetically characterized and compared to a selection of permanent and migratory FAW from multiple sites in the United States and Mexico. The results are consistent with migratory contributions from permanent populations in the states of Texas (United States) and Sinaloa (Mexico), while also providing evidence of significant barriers to gene flow between populations within Mexico. An unexpected finding was that two genetically distinct FAW subpopulations known as “host strains” have a differential distribution in the southwest that may indicate significant differences in their migration behavior in this region. These findings indicate that the combination of mitochondrial and Z-linked markers have advantages in comparing FAW populations that can complement and extend the findings from other methods.
Maize response to endophytic Metarhizium robertsii is altered by water stress
Authors: Peterson Hannah , Ahmad Imtiaz , Barbercheck Mary E.
Published: November 2023

To defend against damage from environmental stress, plants have evolved strategies to respond to stress efficiently. One such strategy includes forming mutualist relationships with endophytes which confer stress-alleviating plant defensive and growth promoting effects. Metarhizium robertsii is an entomopathogen and plant-protective and growth-promoting endophyte. To determine the context dependency of the relationship between M. robertsii and maize, we conducted a greenhouse experiment that imposed stress as deficit and excess soil moisture on maize plants which were inoculated or not inoculated with M. robertsii and measured plant growth and defense indicators. Maize height and endophytic root colonization by M. robertsii were positively correlated in the deficit water treatment, but not in the adequate or excess water treatments. The relative expression of ZmLOX1 in the jasmonic acid (JA) biosynthesis pathway was significantly greater in M. robertsii-inoculated than in non-inoculated plants, but water treatment had no effect. There was significant interaction between M. robertsii and water treatments on foliar concentrations of JA and jasmonoyl isoleucine (JA-ILE), suggesting that water stress impacts M. robertsii as a modulator of plant defense. Water stress, but not inoculation with M. robertsii, had a significant effect on the expression of MYB (p = 0.021) and foliar concentrations of abscisic acid (p<0.001), two signaling molecules associated with abiotic stress response. This study contributes toward understanding the highly sophisticated stress response signaling network and context dependency of endophytic mutualisms in crops.
Route of administration significantly affects particle deposition and cellular recruitment
Authors: Yisrael Keziyah , Drover Ryan W. , Shapiro Malia L. , Anguiano Martha , Kachour Nala , Li Qi , Tran Emily , Cocker David R. , Lo David D.
Published: November 2023

Lung exposures to dusts, pollutants, and other aerosol particulates are known to be associated with pulmonary diseases such as asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. These health impacts are attributed to the ability of aerosol components to induce pulmonary inflammation, which promotes tissue remodeling, including fibrosis, tissue degradation, and smooth muscle proliferation. Consequently, the distribution of these effects can have a significant impact on the physiologic function of the lung. In order to study the impact of distribution of inhaled particulates on lung pathogenesis, we compared the effect of different methods of particle delivery. By comparing intranasal versus aerosol delivery of fluorescent microspheres, we observed strikingly distinct patterns of particle deposition; intranasal delivery provided focused deposition concentrated on larger airways, while aerosol delivery showed unform deposition throughout the lung parenchyma. Recognizing that the impacts of inflammatory cells are contingent upon their recruitment and behavior, we postulate that these variations in distribution patterns can result in significant alterations in biological responses. To elucidate the relevance of these findings in terms of biological representation, we subsequently conducted an investigation into the responses elicited by the administration of endotoxin (bacterial Lipopolysaccharide, or LPS) in a transgenic neutrophil reporter mouse model. As with the microsphere results, patterns of recruited neutrophil inflammatory responses matched the delivery method; that is, despite the active migratory behavior of neutrophils, inflammatory histopathology patterns were either focused on large airways (intranasal administration) or diffusely throughout the parenchyma (aerosol). These results demonstrate the importance of modes of aerosol delivery as different patterns of inflammation and tissue remodeling will have distinct impacts on lung physiology.
Enteric pharmacokinetics of monomeric and multimeric camelid nanobody single-domain antibodies
Authors: Debatis Michelle , Danz Hillary , Tremblay Jacqueline M. , Gaspie Kimberly , Kudej Raymond K. , Vigdorovich Vladimir , Sather Noah , Jaskiewicz Justyna J. , Tzipori Saul , Shoemaker Charles B.
Published: November 2023

Single-domain antibodies (sdAbs) derived from Camelidae heavy-chain-only antibodies (also called nanobodies or VHHs) have advantages over conventional antibodies in terms of their small size and stability to pH and temperature extremes, their ability to express well in microbial hosts, and to be functionally multimerized for enhanced properties. For these reasons, VHHs are showing promise as enteric disease therapeutics, yet little is known as to their pharmacokinetics (PK) within the digestive tract. To improve understanding of enteric VHH PK, we investigated the functional and structural stability of monomeric and multimeric camelid VHH-agents following in vitro incubation with intestinal extracts (chyme) from rabbits and pigs or fecal extracts from human sources, and in vivo in rabbits. The results showed that unstructured domains such as epitopic tags and flexible spacers composed of different amino acid sequences were rapidly degraded by enteric proteases while the functional core VHHs were much more stable to these treatments. Individual VHHs were widely variable in their functional stability to GI tract proteases. Some VHH-based agents which neutralize enteric Shiga toxin Stx2 displayed a functional stability to chyme incubations comparable to that of Stx2-neutralizing IgG and IgA mAbs, thus indicating that selected nanobodies can approach the functional stability of conventional immunoglobulins. Enteric PK data obtained from in vitro incubation studies were consistent with similar incubations performed in vivo in rabbit surgical gut loops. These findings have broad implications for enteric use of VHH-based agents, particularly VHH fusion proteins.
Fiscal policy and economic growth in Sub-Saharan Africa: Do governance indicators matter?
Authors: Ayana Isubalew Daba , Demissie Wondaferahu Mulugeta , Sore Atnafu Gebremeskel
Published: November 2023

This study investigated the linkage between fiscal policy-governance indicators interaction and economic growth in 36 Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) countries from the periods of 2011–2021 inclusive. The study employed two-step system Generalized Method of Moment (GMM) estimation technique due to its practical relevance in panel data analysis. The data obtained from World Bank and World governance indicator was checked for unit root through the help of Im Pesaran Shin and Levin-Lin-Chu unit-root tests, and the result revealed that data was stationary and safe for further analysis. The result of the study also presented that direct economic effect of fiscal policy is negative and significant in SSA countries. However, the interaction of fiscal policy with governance indicators has positive and significant effect on economic growth. Accordingly, before interacting with governance indicators, a percentage change in fiscal policy leads to a 0.20 percent decline in economic growth of SSA countries. Contrary to this, the interactive coefficient of fiscal policy and government effectiveness (0.019) and interactive coefficient of fiscal policy and corruption control (0.0046) are found to be positive and significant. Further, the finding of the study revealed that fiscal policy-voice and accountability interaction coefficient (0.011) and interactive coefficient of fiscal policy-regulatory qualities (0.014) are positively and significantly affecting economic growth of SSA countries. The policy implication is that policy makers in SSA countries should encourage economic policies that improve government effectiveness, strong corruption control, clean public services and better regulatory qualities.
Colonization with extended spectrum beta-lactamase and carbapenemases producing Enterobacteriaceae among hospitalized patients at the global level: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Abera Dessie , Alemu Ayinalem , Mihret Adane , Negash Abel Abera , Abegaz Woldaregay Erku , Cadwell Ken
Published: November 2023

Background

Gut commensal bacteria can mediate resistance against pathogenic bacteria. However, exposure to antibiotics and hospitalization may facilitate the emergence of multidrug resistant bacteria. We aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to provide comprehensive evidence about colonization rate of extended spectrum beta-lactamase and carbapenemases producing Enterobacteriaceae.

Method

We used PubMed, Google Scholar and Web of Science data bases to search studies from January 1, 2016 to August10, 2022 about colonization rate of extended spectrum beta-lactamase and carbapenemase producing Enterobacteriaceae. Data were extracted from eligible studies and analyzed using Stata version 16 software. The quality of included studies was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal tools, and publication bias was assessed using funnel plot and eggers test.

Results

We identified 342 studies from the comprehensive data search and data were extracted from 20 studies. The pooled estimate of extended spectrum beta-lactamase and carbapenemase producing Enterobacteriaceae were 45.6%(95%CI: 34.11-57-10) and 16.19% (95% CI: 5.46–26.91) respectively. The predominant extended spectrum beta-lactamase producers were E. coli,32.99% (95% CI: 23.28–42.69) and K. pneumoniae, 11.43% (95% CI:7.98–14.89). Prolonged hospitalization was linked to carbapenemase producing Enterobacteriaceae colonization with the odds of 14.77 (95% CI: -1.35–30.90) at admission and 45.63 (95% CI: 0.86–92.12) after ≥7 days of admission.

Conclusion

The pooled estimate of extended spectrum beta-lactamase and carbapenemase producing Enterobacteriaceae were high. This indicates the need for strong mitigation strategies to minimize the spread of multidrug-resistant bacteria at the healthcare facilities.
Cost-effectiveness of internet-based HIV screening among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) in Metro Vancouver, Canada
Authors: De Anda Jose A. , Irvine Michael A. , Zhang Wei , Salway Travis , Haag Devon , Gilbert Mark
Published: November 2023

Background

GetCheckedOnline is an internet-based screening service aiming to increase HIV testing among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM). We assessed the cost-effectiveness of GetCheckedOnline in its first implementation phase at different uptake scenarios compared to clinic-based screening services alone in Metro Vancouver, Canada.

Methods

From a healthcare payer’s perspective, our cost-utility analysis used an established dynamic GBMSM HIV compartmental model estimating the probability of acquiring HIV, progressing through diagnosis, disease stages and treatment over a 30-year time horizon. The base case scenario assumed 4.7% uptake of GetCheckedOnline in 2016 (remainder using clinic-based services), with 74% of high-risk and 44% of low-risk infrequent testers becoming regular testers in five years. Scenario analyses tested increased GetCheckedOnline uptake to 10% and 15%.

Results

The cost per test for GetCheckedOnline was $29.40 compared to clinic-based services $56.92. Compared with clinic-based screening services, the projected increase in testing frequency with 4.7% uptake of GetCheckedOnline increased the costs by $329,600 (95% Credible Interval: -$498,200, $571,000) and gained 4.53 (95%CrI: 0, 9.20) quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) in a 30-year time horizon. The probability of GetCheckedOnline being cost-effective was 34% at the threshold of $50,000 per QALY, and increased to 73% at the threshold of $100,000 per QALY. The results were consistent in the other uptake scenarios. The probability of GetCheckedOnline being cost-effective became 80% at the threshold of $50,000 per QALY if assuming 5-year time horizon.

Conclusions

GetCheckedOnline is almost half the cost of clinic-based services on a per-test basis. However, increased access to testing should be balanced with risk profiles of patients to ensure the implementation can be a cost-effective strategy for increasing HIV screening among GBMSM in Metro Vancouver. Additional analyses are needed to understand the impact of internet-based screening including screening for other STIs and in other populations.
Bioaccumulation of radionuclides in hoofed animals inhabiting the Semipalatinsk Test Site
Authors: Panitskiy Andrey , Bazarbaeva Asem , Baigazy Symbat , Polivkina Yelena , Alexandrovich Ivan , Abisheva Mariya
Published: November 2023

The article assesses the content of radionuclides in hoofed animals inhabiting the Semipalatinsk Test Site by calculation. Hoofed animals’ faeces were sampled to determine the content of radionuclides in their diets. Based on values determined for the content of radionuclides in animals; diets, the content of radionuclides in the meat and milk of farm animals—cows (Bos taurus taurus), sheep (Ovis), goats (Capra hircus) and horses (Equus caballus Lin., 1758) as well as in the meat of wild animals–european moose (Alces alces Lin., 1758), argali (Ovis ammon Lin., 1758), roe deer (Capreolus pygargus Pal., 1771) and saiga (Saiga tatarica Lin., 1766) was calculated. No excess of permissible values of the content of 137Cs and 90Sr in the meat of farm animals was found to be expected, even for a conventional ‘conservative’ scenario, in which maxima of the radionuclide activity concentration in a vegetable feed (faeces) are taken as a basis. 241Am and 239+240Pu in the meat of farm hoofed animals are not standardized. Their predicted maxima of activity concentration are very low, and even in the ‘conservative’ scenario, they do not exceed 1.8×10−2 Bq kg-1, 1.4×10−1 Bq kg-1 and 1.6×10−1 Bq kg-1, respectively. In the milk of farm animals, the content of 137Cs and 90Sr does not exceed permissible values. 241Am and 239+240Pu in the milk of farm animals are not standardized. Their predicted activity concentration values in the milk of sheep and goats do not exceed 6.5×10−2 Bq l-1, for cows– 2.6×10−2 Bq l-1, for horses– 3.1×10−2 Bq l-1. Permissible values of 137Cs and 90Sr in the meat of wild hoofed animals are not exceeded either. In the meat of argali, roe deer and saigas, relatively high levels of 137Cs are predictable. 241Am and 239+240Pu in meat of wild animals are not standardized. Their predicted activity concentration values in the meat of moose and argali do not exceed 3.2×10−1 Bq kg-1 and 1.6×10−1 Bq kg-1, respectively, for roe deer and saiga—5.4×10−2 Bq kg-1. Thus, in case of free grazing in the STS territory, no excess of permissible values of standardized radionuclides (137Cs and 90Sr) in the meat and milk of hoofed animals is predictable.
Rat and mouse cardiomyocytes show subtle differences in creatine kinase expression and compartmentalization
Authors: Branovets Jelena , Soodla Kärol , Vendelin Marko , Birkedal Rikke
Published: November 2023

Creatine kinase (CK) and adenylate kinase (AK) are energy transfer systems. Different studies on permeabilized cardiomyocytes suggest that ADP-channelling from mitochondrial CK alone stimulates respiration to its maximum, VO2_max, in rat but not mouse cardiomyocytes. Results are ambiguous on ADP-channelling from AK to mitochondria. This study was undertaken to directly compare the CK and AK systems in rat and mouse hearts. In homogenates, we assessed CK- and AK-activities, and the CK isoform distribution. In permeabilized cardiomyocytes, we assessed mitochondrial respiration stimulated by ADP from CK and AK, VO2_CK and VO2_AK, respectively. The ADP-channelling from CK or AK to mitochondria was assessed by adding PEP and PK to competitively inhibit the respiration rate. We found that rat compared to mouse hearts had a lower aerobic capacity, higher VO2_CK/VO2_max, and different CK-isoform distribution. Although rat hearts had a larger fraction of mitochondrial CK, less ADP was channeled from CK to the mitochondria. This suggests different intracellular compartmentalization in rat and mouse cardiomyocytes. VO2_AK/VO2_max was similar in mouse and rat cardiomyocytes, and AK did not channel ADP to the mitochondria. In the absence of intracellular compartmentalization, the AK- and CK-activities in homogenate should have been similar to the ADP-phosphorylation rates estimated from VO2_AK and VO2_CK in permeabilized cardiomyocytes. Instead, we found that the ADP-phosphorylation rates estimated from permeabilized cardiomyocytes were 2 and 9 times lower than the activities recorded in homogenate for CK and AK, respectively. Our results highlight the importance of energetic compartmentalization in cardiac metabolic regulation and signalling.
A protocol for evaluating the entomological impact of larval source reduction on mosquito vectors at hotel compounds in Zanzibar
Authors: Kampango Ayubo , Saleh Fatma , Furu Peter , Konradsen Flemming , Alifrangis Michael , Schiøler Karin L. , Weldon Christopher W.
Published: November 2023

There is an increasing awareness of the association between tourism activity and risks of emerging mosquito-borne diseases (MBDs) worldwide. In previous studies we showed that hotels in Zanzibar may play an important role in maintaining residual foci of mosquito vectors populations of public health concern. These findings indicated larval sources removal (LSR) interventions may have a significant negative impact on vector communities. However, a thorough analysis of the response vector species to potential LSM strategies must be evaluated prior to implementation of a large-scale area-wide control campaign. Here we propose a protocol for evaluation of the impact of LSR against mosquito vectors at hotel settings in Zanzibar. This protocol is set to determine the efficacy of LSR in a randomized control partial cross-over experimental design with four hotel compounds representing the unit of randomization for allocation of interventions. However, the protocol can be applied to evaluate the impact of LRS in more than four sites. Proposed interventions are active removal of disposed containers, and installation of water dispenser to replace single use discarded plastic water bottles, which were identified as the most important source of mosquitoes studied hotels. The ideal time for allocating intervention to the intervention arms the dry season, when the mosquito abundance is predictably lower. The possible impact of interventions on mosquito occurrence and abundance risks is then evaluated throughout subsequent rainy and dry seasons. If an appreciable reduction in mosquito abundance and occurrence risks is observed during the trial period, intervention could be extended to the control arm to determine whether any potential reduction of mosquito density is reproducible. A rigorous evaluation of the proposed LRS interventions will inspire large scale trials and provide support for evidence-based mosquito management at hotel facilities in Zanzibar and similar settings.
Impact of mobile connectivity on students’ wellbeing: Detecting learners’ depression using machine learning algorithms
Authors: Siraji Muntequa Imtiaz , Rahman Ahnaf Akif , Nishat Mirza Muntasir , Al Mamun Md Abdullah , Faisal Fahim , Khalid Lamim Ibtisam , Ahmed Ashik
Published: November 2023

Depression is a psychological state of mind that often influences a person in an unfavorable manner. While it can occur in people of all ages, students are especially vulnerable to it throughout their academic careers. Beginning in 2020, the COVID-19 epidemic caused major problems in people’s lives by driving them into quarantine and forcing them to be connected continually with mobile devices, such that mobile connectivity became the new norm during the pandemic and beyond. This situation is further accelerated for students as universities move towards a blended learning mode. In these circumstances, monitoring student mental health in terms of mobile and Internet connectivity is crucial for their wellbeing. This study focuses on students attending an International University of Bangladesh to investigate their mental health due to their continual use of mobile devices (e.g., smartphones, tablets, laptops etc.). A cross-sectional survey method was employed to collect data from 444 participants. Following the exploratory data analysis, eight machine learning (ML) algorithms were used to develop an automated normal-to-extreme severe depression identification and classification system. When the automated detection was incorporated with feature selection such as Chi-square test and Recursive Feature Elimination (RFE), about 3 to 5% increase in accuracy was observed by the method. Similarly, a 5 to 15% increase in accuracy has been observed when a feature extraction method such as Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was performed. Also, the SparsePCA feature extraction technique in combination with the CatBoost classifier showed the best results in terms of accuracy, F1-score, and ROC-AUC. The data analysis revealed no sign of depression in about 44% of the total participants. About 25% of students showed mild-to-moderate and 31% of students showed severe-to-extreme signs of depression. The results suggest that ML models, incorporating a proper feature engineering method can serve adequately in multi-stage depression detection among the students. This model might be utilized in other disciplines for detecting early signs of depression among people.
The lived experience of Omani adolescents and young adults with mental illness: A qualitative study
Authors: Al Omari Omar , Amandu Gerald , Al-Adawi Samir , Shebani Zubaida , Al Harthy Ibtisam , Obeidat Arwa , Al Dameery Khloud , Al Qadire Mohammad , Al Hashmi Iman , Al Khawldeh Abduallh , ALBashtawy Mohammed , Aljezawi Maen
Published: November 2023

There is currently limited knowledge about the firsthand experiences of adolescents and young adults with mental health problems and the meanings they ascribe to these experiences, particularly within Arab countries. This study, therefore, aimed to explore the lived experience of Omani adolescents and young adults with a mental health problem. A sample of 15 participants aged 13–22 diagnosed with a range of mental health problems took part in the study. A qualitative interview guide consisting of open-ended questions was used to allow participants to speak in-depth about their experiences. Using the thematic analysis approach to uncover patterns in the data, three major themes emerged: “living in darkness”, “perilous journey” and “uncertain future”. Results show that the progress of adolescents and young adults with mental health problems is characterized by several challenges; the most significant of which is having insufficient knowledge about their illness, leading to unnecessary delays in their treatment. These findings shed light on the breadth and depth of the experience of adolescents and young adults with mental health problems and lay the groundwork for further examinations. Implications lie in the development of approaches for preventing or mitigating difficulties faced by adolescents and young adults with mental health problems.
Can intergovernmental cooperative policies promote water ecology improvement—An analysis based on water quality data from China’s general environmental monitoring station
Authors: Ding Yu , Gong Chen
Published: November 2023

To strengthen cooperation among local governmental departments and improve water ecology, China has proposed the river management policy "river chief system + procurator". However, it remains to be verified that intergovernmental cooperative policies contribute to the improvement of China’s water ecology. Based on data from 87 national water quality monitoring sites released by the China Environmental Monitoring Station from 2015 to 2022, this paper constructed a multiperiod differences-in-differences model to evaluate the effectiveness of the cooperative governmental policy, the "river chief system + procurator", on the improvement of the water quality of rivers and lakes. The results of the study show that cooperative government policy helps to improve the water environment of rivers and lakes, which means that the implementation of the "river chief system + procurator" policy has significantly improved water quality conditions where implemented. In addition, further analysis revealed that intergovernmental cooperative policies had a limited impact on relevant indicators of river and lake pollutants that are more susceptible to different pollution sources compared to the comprehensive indicator of water quality class. This study helps further the understanding of the effects of cooperative intergovernmental policies and the policy practice of environmental governance in China.
On the relationship between emotions and cognitive control: Evidence from an observational study on emotional priming Stroop task
Authors: Visalli Antonino , Ambrosini Ettore , Viviani Giada , Sambataro Fabio , Tenconi Elena , Vallesi Antonino
Published: November 2023

Evidence is discordant regarding how emotional processing and cognitive control interact to shape behavior. This observational study sought to examine this interaction by looking at the distinction between proactive and reactive modes of control and how they relate to emotional processing. Seventy-four healthy participants performed an emotional priming Stroop task. On each trial, target stimuli of a spatial Stroop task were preceded by sad or neutral facial expressions, providing two emotional conditions. To manipulate the requirement of both proactive and reactive control, the proportion of congruent trials (PC) was varied at the list-wide (LWPC) and item-specific (ISPC) levels, respectively. We found that sad priming led to behavioral costs only in trials with low proactive and reactive cognitive control demands. Our findings suggest that emotional processing affects cognitive processes other than cognitive control in the Stroop task. Moreover, both proactive and reactive control modes seem effective in overcoming emotional interference of priming stimuli.
What is a museum? Drawing as online learning strategy for international students
Authors: Burch Stuart
Published: November 2023

This article recounts the experience of devising and remotely delivering a multi-disciplinary drawing-based online summer course for Chinese students. This pivoted around the question: ‘what is a museum?’ Students were invited to give an initial drawn response prior to the first session. The resulting images provided the basis for whole-group discussion followed by further creative tasks. Activities included designing a museum logo, drawing a representation of an object of special personal significance and writing an interpretative text label. The chosen artefacts were then accessioned into a virtual museum in order to realize the promise of the online course, entitled ‘Museum Makers: Objects, Collections and Display’. This pedagogical endeavour was intended to use drawing to actively engage learners such that they were able to define museums, recognize the value of objects, understand what makes a collection and appreciate the principles of interpretation. Illustrative examples of student work are reproduced alongside an account of the production process and the participants’ views on the effectiveness of drawing as a learning strategy. The paper reflects on the challenges and opportunities of implementing drawing in a non-art context before going on to outline the operationalization and outcomes of the initiative, leading to a series of transferable findings and conclusions.
‘The dance of drawing’ and the limits of digital assistance
Authors: Goubert Magali
Published: November 2023

By looking at ‘the dance of a drawing’, this paper questions the interest and limits of digital technologies in the world of drawing and, more broadly, the visual arts. Based on the system of Effort conceived by the movement theorist Rudolf Laban (1879–1956), the author proposes a new way of apprehending pictorial and graphic form, from its expressive movements. This approach leads the author to distinguish between two modes of graphic expression, the sensory and the rational, which are both opposed and complementary. By inviting the viewer to observe the dance of paintings by Van Gogh and Seurat on the one hand and children’s drawings on the other, the paper underlines how digital technology cannot completely replace traditional drawing techniques.
The Role of Viral Infection in Heart Failure
Authors: s Liz
Published: November 2023

Mounting evidence suggests that some viruses can persist in heart tissue after an initial infection, and become reactivated under certain conditions, triggering a cell-mediated immune response that leads to myocarditis and, potentially, dilated cardiomyopathy.
High Blood Pressure: A Major Risk Factor for Heart Failure
Authors: Sutherland Liz
Published: November 2023

Over time, increased hemodynamic stress on the heart from high blood pressure leads to the compensatory development of left ventricular hypertrophy.
Modernidad, tecnología y región. La telefonía y su impronta en el centro-sur cubano (1882-1930)
Authors: Rodríguez Orrego Vero Edilio , Casanova Hernández Claudia María
Published: November 2023

Este artículo aborda las conexiones históricas entre modernidad y tecnología desde el marco regional. Concretamente, se orienta a explicar los aspectos técnicos, organizativos y culturales que distinguieron la introducción y expansión de la telefonía como expresión del despliegue de la modernidad en Cienfuegos, una región cubana en el tránsito entre el fin del dominio colonial español y las primeras décadas republicanas. Primero, se analiza la génesis y transferencia de la telefonía dentro del influjo de la modernidad estadounidense sobre Cuba y los nexos históricos de dependencia hacia el país norteño, que lo convirtieron en emisor expedito de innovaciones tecnológicas y otras realizaciones hacia la Isla. Luego, se exponen por etapas, los aspectos técnicos y organizativos del despliegue de la telefonía por el contexto regional cienfueguero. Por último, se aborda el aspecto cultural y los significados sociales generados por esta práctica tecnológica en la región, asociados a la actividad económico-comercial, la jerarquización social, la integración intrarregional, la comunicación y a su empleo como herramienta de control político que limitó la soberanía nacional bajo la gestión de la compañía estadounidense Cuban Telephone Company.
Importancia de la divulgación científica de los riesgos naturales en los Geoparques, propuesta para el Geoparque Las Loras (Palencia, España)
Authors: Tascón González Laura
Published: November 2023

La divulgación científica en el ámbito de los riesgos naturales se concibe como el motor para que la sociedad tome decisiones adecuadas que minimicen el daño que los desastres puedan ocasionar, enfrentando el futuro de la mejor manera. Su implementación fomenta el desarrollo de un sentido de responsabilidad frente a problemas ambientales incrementando el empoderamiento de la sociedad, la probabilidad de sobrevivir y responder frente a los fenómenos naturales, la resiliencia de la comunidad y la mitigación de su vulnerabilidad. Para la difusión de nuevos conocimientos en el campo de los desastres se propone el uso de los Geoparques Mundiales de la UNESCO como escenario, y en concreto el Geoparque Las Loras. Este Geoparque podría servir como herramienta para la transmisión y consolidación de la información de los fenómenos naturales, el análisis de riesgos asociados a los mismos y para establecer una relación entre la comunidad, el territorio y el patrimonio geológico, paisajístico, cultural, e histórico que debemos conservar.
A félelemtől az iróniáig
Authors: Wenner Éva , Pál József
Published: November 2023

Az írás először arra a kérdésre keres választ, hogyan lehet
összeegyeztetni a végtelen és végtelenül jó Isten fogalmát a világon
mindenütt jelentkező Gonosz sokszor sikeres tevékenységével? A probléma
történeti áttekintése során a keresztény teológia platonikus vonulatának
(Dionüsziosz Areopagitosz, Eriugena, majd szent Anzelm) eszméit követjük
nyomon. Ennek lényege: Istennek nincs valódi riválisa, nincs preegzisztens
rossz, a Gonosz az ember helytelen döntésében rejtőzködik. Ugyanakkor az
ember méltóságának (Istenhez való hasonlóságának) nélkülözhetetlen része
akaratának szabadsága. A második rész arról szól, miként tűnik el a 15.
századi neoplatonikus gondolkodók docta religiójából, illetve hogyan válik,
elvesztve félelmetességét, ironikusan ábrázolt alakká Machiavelli
tanulságos meséjében.
Szerelmi vágy, valamint fizikai szenvedés és konfliktus motivikus
kapcsolata a korai görög költészetben
Authors: Mayer Péter
Published: November 2023

A tanulmány néhány, a szerelmi vágy keltette testi szenvedést és
magával a vággyal folytatott fizikai konfliktust illető sapphói és
anakreóni nyilatkozat előtörténetét vázolja fel a korai görög eposzban,
valamint az elégia- és iambosköltészetben. A tárgyalt költői helyek és
értelmezésük igazolja az alaptézist, hogy e motívumok kezelése az egyes
költők életművében műfaj- és genderspecifikus, valamint az egyéni költői
programra jellemző karakterisztikumot mutat.
Alius aquila
Authors: Ötvös Péter
Published: November 2023

Az irodalmi kultusz mindig igyekszik definiálni az első nemzeti
költőt. A magyar irodalomban Rimay János jelölte meg elődjét, Balassi
Bálintot. Azt írta róla, Balassi utolérhetetlen sas a többi apró madarak
számára. A toposz talán Dantétól származik, ő így, sasként jelölte meg az
„örök első költőt”, Homéroszt. Ismerünk azonban további példákat is. A
nürnbergi irodalomszervező, Sigmund Birken (1626–1681) eképpen mutatta be a
fiatal költőnő, Catharina Regina von Greiffenberg (1633–1694) tehetségét: ő
nem csupán csengő hangú hattyú, de magasan repülő sas, aki mindenkit messze
megelőz. A Rimay által is használt metafora tehát több irodalomban is
megtalálható.
Balassa Istvánné Zrínyi Ilona (1546−1570) párbeszédes epitáfiuma a
széleskúti templomban
Authors: Szentmártoni Szabó Géza
Published: November 2023

A széleskúti (ma Sološnica Szlovákiában) templomban maradt fenn
Zrínyi Ilona fehér mészkőre vésett, párbeszédes epitáfiuma. A 42 soros
epigrammafüzért először 1828-ban adta közre egy bizonyos J. Albrecht egy
bécsi tudományos folyóiratban, majd 1848-ban Gyurikovics György jelentette
meg ismét a Magyar Academiai Értesítőben. Az epitáfium szövegét már
korábban, két canonica visitatio alkalmával, 1752-ben és 1782-ben is
feljegyezték. Ipolyi Arnold 1859-ben, a Vasárnapi Újságban dicsérő
szavakkal méltatta az epitáfiumot. A humanista eszköztárral megkomponált
epigrammákat az azóta eltelt időben nem vizsgálta meg senki. A hosszú
versben, Vergilius sorai mellett, Jacopo Sannazaro egyik elégiájából vett
részlet is felbukkan. Érdemes tehát újra közölni a Zrínyi Ilona és férje
közti elképzelt dialógust tartalmazó verssorokat. A dolgozat igyekszik
felvázolni Balassa István és felesége életútját, ám a témához kapcsolódó
egyéb vonatkozásokat is tartalmaz.
Miskolci Csulyak István ismeretlen latin nyelvű verse Caspar
Dornaviushoz
Authors: Imre Mihály
Published: November 2023

1604-ben jelent meg Bázelben a Waldkirch kiadónál egy latin verses
antológia, amely Caspar Dornau (Dornavius) köszöntésére készült, amikor
elnyerte az orvosdoktori címet. Dornavius már ekkor a nemzetközi humanista
elit kimagasló képviselője, kiváló magyar kapcsolatokkal rendelkezett egész
életében. Ebben a kötetben szerepel Thököly Miklós rövid és Miskolci
Csulyak István terjedelmes köszöntő verse. Ezekről a versekről eddig még
nem tudott a hazai kutatás, egyben újabb bizonyíték arra is, hogy –
különösen – Miskolci Csulyak a korszak figyelemre méltó hazai neolatin
költője volt. Erőteljesen törekedett arra, hogy szorosan illeszkedjen a
kortárs neolatin költészetbe, amint az is fontos volt számára, hogy
sokoldalúan kapcsolódjon a nemzetközi késő-humanizmus szellemi, kulturális
kontextusához, alkotói csoportjaihoz.
Az exuláns és a fegyverkenőcs
Authors: Báthory Orsolya
Published: November 2023

A fegyverkenőcsöt (Waffensalbe, unguentum armarium, hoplokriszma) a
16– 17. században a jatromágia, vagyis a mágikus orvoslás egyik igen
hatásos készítményének tekintették. A Paracelsusnak tulajdonított,
szimpatetikus elven alapuló kenőccsel nem a sebet, hanem az azt okozó
fegyvert kellett bekenni. Úgy vélték, a kezeléssel több mérföld távolságból
is fájdalommentesen meg lehetett gyógyítani az emberi testen ejtett
sérüléseket. A kenőcs számos vitát váltott ki orvosi és teológiai körökben
a 17. század folyamán. A diskurzus nem a gyógymód hatékonyságára
vonatkozott, hanem inkább arra, hogy az esetleges gyógyulás vajon nem
démoni erőknek köszönhető-e, vagyis hogy a szer a magia naturalis vagy a
magia daemoniaca körébe tartozik-e. A vitába számos korabeli orvos, tudós
is bekapcsolódott, mint pl. Daniel Sennert (1572–1637), Jan Baptista van
Helmont (1580–1644) vagy Athanasius Kircher (1602–1680). A kérdésben az
egykori gályarab, lutheránus prédikátor Lányi György (Juraj Lani,
1646–1701) is állást foglalt a maga módján. A Diaskepsis philosophiae
naturalis de unguento armario (Lipcse, 1680) című, a természetfilozófia
körébe tartozó értekezése a szerrel kapcsolatos vitában addig született
írásokat és véleményeket tekinti át.
A forráshasználat újragondolása
Authors: Munding Márta
Published: November 2023

Curtius Rufus és Iustinus kivételével a főbb Alexandros-történetírók
mindegyike (Diodóros, Strabón, Plutarchos, Arrhianos) beszámolt valamilyen
formában arról, hogy Alexandros Kr. e. 334-ben valahol, egy nem pontosított
helyszínen találkozott Karia korábbi uralkodónőjével, Adával, akit
testvére, Pixódaros megfosztott hatalmá-tól. A találkozás eredményeként
Alexandros segítette Adát, és végül visszaültette őt hatalmába. A szerzők
leírásai eltérnek a találkozás részleteit és következményeit illetően, a
legnagyobb problémát mégis az jelenti, hogy egyetlen történetíró sem
nevezte meg beszámolójában azt a forrást vagy azokat a forrásokat, akiket
felhasznált. A kutatók számos szempontból foglalkoztak ezzel a történettel;
fő kérdésük az volt, hogy mely úgynevezett első generációs szerzők
információira vezethetők vissza ezek a leírások. Tanulmányomban ehhez a
témához kívánok hozzászólni, így górcső alá veszem az eddigi kutatói
elméleteket, hogy igazoljam az Alexandros-kutatásban a Quellenforschung
módszerének szükségességét, ugyanakkor felhívjam a figyelmet e módszer
alkalmazásának határaira.
Járatlan utakon.
Authors: Czerovszki Mariann
Published: November 2023

Pray György solymászati tankölteményének negyedik könyve a madarak
betegségeivel foglalkozik. Az ének közepén elhelyezett excursus első része
egy emelkedett hangvételű eszmefuttatást tartalmaz a gyógynövényekben rejlő
isteni erőről, a gyógyerejüket ismerő emberek nagyszerűségéről, a
lelőhelyek szinte megközelíthetetlen elhelyezkedéséről. Bár a szövegrész
önmagában koherens, mégis hagy némi hiányérzetet maga után, mert nem teszi
világossá, hogy miből táplálkozik ez a különös tisztelet a hegyi füves
emberek iránt, és honnan az elképzelés, hogy a megmászhatatlan, magas
hegyek tetején ismeretlen gyógynövények teremnek. A pontos megértéséhez
nyilvánvalóan szükség van egy olyan háttértudásra, amit nem foglal magába
Pray tankölteménye. A tanulmány az excursus interpretációjához néhány
motivikus párhuzamra támaszkodva a Benedek Elek gyűjtéséből ismert A
Fiú-sziklája című népmondát hívja segítségül.
Georg Purkircher levele Kolozsvári Jordán Tamáshoz (1570. május 3.)
Authors: Balázs Mihály
Published: November 2023

A forrásközlés a pozsonyi orvos Georg Purkircher híradásait
tartalmazza a nemzetközi, magyarországi és erdélyi eseményekről. Utóbbiak
közül kiemeli a Karácsony György-féle parasztfelkelést, illetve a Bekes
Gáspár vezette követség tárgyalásainak megkezdését, amelyek utóbb a speyeri
egyezmény megkötéséhez vezettek. Hírt ad a pápai udvar legújabb
botrányairól is.
A férfiakról női szemmel
Authors: Gellérfi Gergő
Published: November 2023

Iuvenalis képmutatás elleni invektívájának egy pontján lép színre az
életmű egyetlen, hosszabb monológot előadó női interlocutora, Laronia. A 26
soros beszéd középpontjában – akárcsak a szatíra egésze esetén – a
képmutató, a női szerepbe lépő, illetve a valódi énjüket elrejtő
homoszexuális férfiak állnak. E férfiak hasonló szerepet töltenek be a 2.
szatírában, mint a római asszonyok a 6.-ban: egy központi (képmutatás,
illetve hűtlenség) és számos, mintegy mellékesen említett (pl. a vallási
rituálék megbecstelenítése, előkelő rómaiakhoz méltatlan viselkedés stb.)
vétket a narrátor rájuk fókuszálva mutat be, ám ez nem jelenti azt, hogy e
bűnök kizárólagos elkövetői, e jelenségek kizárólagos felelősei lennének.
Relación entre la antigüedad de la microempresa y su rentabilidad financiera: un análisis por conglomerados
Authors: Ruiz López Hugo Renán , Zambrano Farías Fernando José , Sánchez Pacheco María Estefanía , Correa Soto Sara Rocío
Published: November 2023

Introduction/Purpose: This study examined the relationship between profitability and the age of microenterprises in Ecuador in the year 2021. Methodology: The relationship between the profitability and age variables was measured through a quantitative descriptive approach with cross-sectional data. An unsupervised learning technique called clustering was applied to a sample of 1,810 Ecuadorian microenterprises that have their financial statements registered with the Superintendency of Companies, Securities and Insurance during the study period. Findings: The results indicated a weak inverse relationship between profitability and age, and three clusters were identified using the K-medoids technique. Two clusters shared an average age of 9 years, but differed significantly in terms of profitability, averaging 1% and 55% respectively. The third cluster, composed of older micro-enterprises with an average age of 32 years, recorded an average profitability of 2%. Conclusions: It is concluded that profitability decreases with increasing age of the microenterprises, which is of interest for decision making in maturing enterprises because their expectations of the desired profitability and the level of strategies used by these companies may change.