bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Partitioning the Expected Value of Countermeasures with an Application to Terrorism
Authors: John Richard S. , Dillon Robin L. , Burns William J. , Scurich Nicholas
Published: September 2023

Benefit–cost analyses are critical to support U.S. agencies’ programmatic decision making. These analyses are particularly challenging when one of the benefits is adversary deterrence. This paper presents a framework for calculating the value of deterrence related to countermeasures implemented to mitigate an attack by an adaptive adversary. We offer an approach for partitioning the benefit of countermeasures into three components: (1) threat reduction (deterrence), (2) vulnerability reduction, and (3) consequence mitigation. The benefit of a countermeasure is measured by the expected value of countermeasure implementation (EVCI) attributable to a specific countermeasure. It is based on the concept of expected value of imperfect control, defined as the difference in the expected values of alternatives with and without countermeasures. The EVCI represents all the benefits of implementing the countermeasure and is derived from three sources: (1) changes in attack probability (threat reduction from deterrence), (2) changes in detection probability (vulnerability reduction), and (3) changes in the distribution of attack outcomes (consequence mitigation). We partition the EVCI and estimate the portion attributable to each of these three sources to quantify the unique benefit of each. We provide two applications of the partitioning methodology using examples from the published literature that examine countermeasures designed to protect commercial aircraft against man-portable air defense systems. The proposed framework provides an approach for explicitly accounting separately for deterrence, vulnerability reduction, and consequence mitigation in benefit–cost analyses. It provides quantifiable insights into how countermeasures reduce terrorism risk.

Funding: This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security under [Grant Award 22STESE00001-02-00]. The views and conclusions contained in this document are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as necessarily representing the official policies, either expressed or implied, of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. This award was made to Northeastern University and the University of Southern California is a sub-awardee. This work was also supported by the National Science Foundation [Grant 2027296] awarded to Decision Research.
How well do we assess the adequacy of bending films in scoliosis?
Authors: Lim Kevin B. L. , Lee Nicole K. L. , Yeo Beatrice S. , Lim Victoria M. M. , Ng Stacy W. L. , Mishra Neeraj
Published: September 2023

Aims

To determine whether side-bending films in scoliosis are assessed for adequacy in clinical practice; and to introduce a novel method for doing so.

Methods

Six surgeons and eight radiographers were invited to participate in four online surveys. The generic survey comprised erect and left and right bending radiographs of eight individuals with scoliosis, with an average age of 14.6 years. Respondents were asked to indicate whether each bending film was optimal (adequate) or suboptimal. In the first survey, they were also asked if they currently assessed the adequacy of bending films. A similar second survey was sent out two weeks later, using the same eight cases but in a different order. In the third survey, a guide for assessing bending film adequacy was attached along with the radiographs to introduce the novel T1-45B method, in which the upper endplate of T1 must tilt ≥ 45° from baseline for the study to be considered optimal. A fourth and final survey was subsequently conducted for confirmation.

Results

Overall, 12 (86%) of 14 respondents did not use any criteria to assess the bending film adequacy; the remaining two each described a different invalidated method. In total, 12 (86%) of the respondents felt T1-45B was easy to learn and apply. There was fair to substantial intra-rater reliability (k = 0.25 to 0.88) which improved to fair to almost perfect (k = 0.38 to 0.88) post-introduction of the guide. Inter-rater reliability varied considerably among the rater groups but similarly increased following introduction of the guide (kS1 = 0.19 to 0.34, kS2 = 0.33 to 0.43 vs kS3 = 0.49 to 0.5, kS4 = 0.35 to 0.43).

Conclusion

Many surgeons and radiographers do not assess spinal bending films for adequacy. We propose that the change in the plane of the upper endplate of T1 on side-bending can be used in this evaluation. In the T1-45B method, a change of ≥ 45° on side bending qualifies as an adequate bend effort.

Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2023;4(9):689–695.
Conducting research with vulnerable populations: the case study by proxy method
Authors: Gaitis Konstantinos Kosmas
Published: September 2023

It can be difficult for researchers to access research participants from vulnerable populations. Focusing on the single victim interviewee recruited for my human trafficking-related research, this article will examine the method employed to conduct research with her, which I term ‘case study by proxy’: a new hybrid qualitative methodological approach combining elements of the case study and interview by proxy methods. This may prove to be a valuable methodological tool for researchers studying vulnerable populations.
The killing of the New Lodge Six in February 1973
Authors: Moran Jade
Published: September 2023

Six unarmed men were shot dead by the British Army in the New Lodge area of Belfast in the North of Ireland on the 3rd and 4th February 1973. Collectively, these men are known as the New Lodge Six. There has never been a public inquiry into how or why they died. Eyewitnesses were not interviewed and there was a terrifying absence of police investigation into why six unarmed men were killed by British forces. No British soldiers were ever prosecuted in relation to this case. This intervention outlines what happened to the six unarmed men and how the British Army claimed the New Lodge Six were involved in a gun battle with troops. The intervention has three interlocking aims. Firstly, the aim is to draw attention to the case following the 50th anniversary of the shootings. Secondly, the intervention calls for a public inquiry into the New Lodge Six killings, which share troubling similarities with the shooting of unarmed civilians on Bloody Sunday twelve months earlier. Finally, the aim is to position the case within the context of other conflict-related killings and to highlight the injustice of the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill, which is currently making its way through the British Parliament.
The Habitation Economy
Authors: Block Fred
Published: September 2023

Abstract: We need a new paradigm to make sense of our current economy—and to offer a persuasive policy agenda that gives those at the local level the resources and mechanisms they need to shape what they consume and produce.
Saule Omarova’s Plan to Remake the Financial System
Authors: Ongweso Edward
Published: September 2023

Abstract: The major thrust of Omarova’s research concerns how various private and public entities are formed, contested, and deployed to create our financial system—and the myriad flaws that define it. Her proposed alternatives stem from deep knowledge of what’s missing from our current policies and how they can be improved.
RobustIV and controlfunctionIV: Causal Inference for Linear and Nonlinear Models with Invalid Instrumental Variables
Authors: Koo Taehyeon , Lee Youjin , Small Dylan S. , Guo Zijian
Published: September 2023

Abstract: We present R software packages RobustIV and controlfunctionIV for causal inference with possibly invalid instrumental variables. RobustIV focuses on the linear outcome model. It implements the two-stage hard thresholding method to select valid instrumental variables from a set of candidate instrumental variables and make inferences for the causal effect in both low- and high-dimensional settings. Furthermore, RobustIV implements the high-dimensional endogeneity test and the searching and sampling method, a uniformly valid inference method robust to errors in instrumental variable selection. controlfunctionIV considers the nonlinear outcome model and makes inferences about the causal effect based on the control function method. Our packages are demonstrated using two publicly available economic data sets together with applications to the Framingham Heart Study.
The future of communications is massively parallel
Authors: Winzer Peter J.
Published: September 2023

Over the past decade, high-speed communications technologies have reached severe scalability limits, from short-reach electrical chip-to-chip interconnects to ultra-long-haul subsea optical fiber cables. While these scalability limits have different origins ranging from saturating high-speed electronics bit rates, to systems approaching fiber Shannon capacities, to energy density/distribution limits, there seems to be only a single long-term viable solution that is common to economically overcome all these limits: massively integrated spatial parallelism.
Deep learning-based end-to-end 3D depth recovery from a single-frame fringe pattern with the MSUNet++ network
Authors: Wang Chao , Zhou Pei , Zhu Jiangping
Published: September 2023

Deep learning (DL)-based single-frame fringe pattern to 3D depth reconstruction methods have aroused extensive research interest. The goal is to estimate high-precision 3D shape from a single frame of fringe pattern with limited information. Therefore, the purpose of this work attempts to propose an end-to-end DL-based 3D reconstruction method from the single fringe pattern with excellent capability of achieving high accuracy depth recovery and geometry details preservation of tested objects. We construct a multi-scale feature fusion convolutional neural network (CNN) called MSUNet++, which incorporates discrete wavelet transform (DWT) in data preprocessing for extracting high-frequency signals of fringe patterns as input of the network. Additionally, a loss function that combines structural similarity with edge perception is established. Through these measures, high-frequency geometry details of the reconstruction results can be obviously enhanced, while the geometric shape can be effectively maintained. Ablation experiments are involved in validating the effectiveness of our proposed solution. 3D reconstructed results and analysis of generalization experiments on different tested samples imply that the proposed method in this research enjoys capabilities of higher accuracy, better detail preservation, and robustness in comparison with the compared methods.
Investigation of internal electric fields in graphene/6H-SiC under illumination by the Pockels effect
Authors: Dědič Václav , Sanitrák Jakub , Fridrišek Tomáš , Rejhon Martin , Morzhuk Bohdan , Shestopalov Mykhailo , Kunc Jan
Published: September 2023

In this paper, we introduce a method for mapping profiles of internal electric fields in birefringent crystals based on the electro-optic Pockels effect and measuring phase differences of low-intensity polarized light. In the case of the studied 6H-SiC crystal with graphene electrodes, the experiment is significantly affected by birefringence at zero bias voltage applied to the crystal and a strong thermo-optical effect. We dealt with these phenomena by adding a Soleil-Babinet compensator and using considerations based on measurements of crystal heating under laser illumination. The method can be generalized and adapted to any Pockels crystal that can withstand sufficiently high voltages. We demonstrate the significant formation of space charge in semi-insulating 6H-SiC under illumination by above-bandgap light.
Coherent stepped-frequency waveform generation based on recirculating microwave photonic frequency conversion
Authors: Ma Cong , Wang Xiangchuan , Yang Yue , Ding Zeyong , Pan Shilong
Published: September 2023

We propose a novel method for generating coherent and wideband stepped-frequency waveforms using recirculating microwave photonic frequency conversion (MWP-FC). By injecting a narrowband signal into an MWP-FC loop utilizing a dual-parallel Mach–Zehnder modulator (DPMZM), the signal frequency is continuously converted to produce a stepped-frequency waveform with a wide bandwidth. Within the MWP-FC loop, photo-electric conversion is achieved based on self-mixing detection, where the optical phase noise can be suppressed, guaranteeing stability and coherence of the generated signal. In a proof-of-concept experiment, a stepped-frequency signal with a frequency interval of 2 GHz and a bandwidth of about 16 GHz and a stepped-frequency chirp signal with a frequency interval of 3 GHz and a bandwidth of about 15 GHz are generated. In addition, coherence of the generated signals is verified by coherent integration and de-chirping.
Current spreading structure of GaN-based vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers
Authors: Zheng Zhongming , Wang Yukun , Mei Yang , Long Hao , Ying Leiying , Zheng Zhiwei , Zhang Baoping
Published: September 2023

Indium tin oxide (ITO) is often used as a current spreading layer in the GaN-based vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs). However, the absorption coefficient of ITO is significant, which reduces the laser output power, raises the threshold, and makes VCSELs hardly lase in the ultraviolet range. To find a transparent conductive structure that can replace ITO, we propose a periodic p-AlGaN/u-GaN/p-GaN structure. In the simulation of light-emitting diodes, the optimized parameter is obtained with multi-period 10 nm p-Al0.1Ga0.9N/2 nm u-GaN/8 nm p-GaN combined with n-GaN/n-Al0.2Ga0.8N in the n region. Applying the structure to 435 nm VCSELs and comparing it to a common VCSEL with the ITO current spreading layer, it can be found that the new structure reduces the threshold from 9.17 to 3.06 kA/cm2. The laser power increases from 1.33 to 15.4 mW. The optimized structure has a high laser power and a lower threshold, which can be used in future investigations.
High-quality factor Ta2O5-on-insulator resonators with ultimate thermal stability
Authors: Rasmus Bankwitz J. , Wolff Martin A. , Abazi Adrian S. , Piel Pierre-Maurice , Jin Lin , Pernice Wolfram H. P. , Wurstbauer Ursula , Schuck Carsten
Published: September 2023

Experiments in photonics, laser optics, and quantum technology require low-loss, thermal, and mechanical stability. While photonic integrated circuits on monolithic chips achieve interferometric stability, important nanophotonic material systems suffer from propagation loss, thermal drift, and noise that prevent, for example, precise frequency stabilization of resonators. Here we show that tantalum pentoxide (Ta2O5) on insulator micro-ring resonators combine quality factors beyond 1.8 Mio with vanishing temperature-dependent wavelength shift in a relevant 70 K to 90 K temperature range. Our Ta2O5-on-SiO2 devices will thus enable athermal operation at liquid nitrogen temperatures, paving the way for ultra-stable low-cost resonators, as desired for wavelength division multiplexing, on chip frequency stabilization and low-noise optical frequency comb generation.
Optical heterodyne detection system for a high-speed camera based on the HSA phase compensation method
Authors: Wu Zengyan , Cao Changqing , Feng Zhejun , Wu Xiaona , Duan Chenxuan
Published: September 2023

This study proposes an innovative active optical heterodyne detection system to address the limitations of existing swarm intelligence algorithms in resolving phase compensation issues within coherent detection systems. The design incorporates a high-speed camera array detector, offering improved practicality and a simplified structure. Employing a heuristic search algorithm (HSA) transforms the high-dimensional problem into multiple one-dimensional optimization problems, significantly enhancing algorithmic running speed. The HSA maintains excellent performance even with increased array elements, allowing for real-time phase correction in large arrays. Experimental results using shot peening comparison samples reveal a substantial amplification of the heterodyne signal spectrum amplitude peak, approximately 60 times greater than the original signal. This innovative approach holds great potential for active optical heterodyne detection of dim targets, paving the way for further research in the field.
Self-compression of femtosecond laser pulses in ambient air through conical radiation
Authors: Xie Xinhua , Cavalieri Adrian L. , Johnson Steven L.
Published: September 2023

We demonstrate self-compression of 98 fs near-infrared laser pulses down to 8.8 fs in ambient air, utilizing self-phase modulation in air and negative dispersion in the properties of a laser-induced plasma. The blueshifted pulses achieve self-compression through conical radiation, eliminating the need for additional dispersion compensation. The results highlight a simple and compact approach to generate sub-10 fs laser pulses without additional measures for time-resolved applications in ultrafast diagnostics and spectroscopy.
Reservoir host immunology and life history shape virulence evolution in zoonotic viruses
Authors: Brook Cara E. , Rozins Carly , Guth Sarah , Boots Mike
Published: September 2023

The management of future pandemic risk requires a better understanding of the mechanisms that determine the virulence of emerging zoonotic viruses. Meta-analyses suggest that the virulence of emerging zoonoses is correlated with but not completely predictable from reservoir host phylogeny, indicating that specific characteristics of reservoir host immunology and life history may drive the evolution of viral traits responsible for cross-species virulence. In particular, bats host viruses that cause higher case fatality rates upon spillover to humans than those derived from any other mammal, a phenomenon that cannot be explained by phylogenetic distance alone. In order to disentangle the fundamental drivers of these patterns, we develop a nested modeling framework that highlights mechanisms that underpin the evolution of viral traits in reservoir hosts that cause virulence following cross-species emergence. We apply this framework to generate virulence predictions for viral zoonoses derived from diverse mammalian reservoirs, recapturing trends in virus-induced human mortality rates reported in the literature. Notably, our work offers a mechanistic hypothesis to explain the extreme virulence of bat-borne zoonoses and, more generally, demonstrates how key differences in reservoir host longevity, viral tolerance, and constitutive immunity impact the evolution of viral traits that cause virulence following spillover to humans. Our theoretical framework offers a series of testable questions and predictions designed to stimulate future work comparing cross-species virulence evolution in zoonotic viruses derived from diverse mammalian hosts.
Bright light treatment counteracts stress-induced sleep alterations in mice, via a visual circuit related to the rostromedial tegmental nucleus
Authors: Huang Lu , Chen Xi , Tao Qian , Wang Xiaoli , Huang Xiaodan , Fu Yunwei , Yang Yan , Deng Shijie , Lin Song , So Kwok-Fai , Song Xingrong , Ren Chaoran
Published: September 2023

Light in the environment greatly impacts a variety of brain functions, including sleep. Clinical evidence suggests that bright light treatment has a beneficial effect on stress–related diseases. Although stress can alter sleep patterns, the effect of bright light treatment on stress–induced sleep alterations and the underlying mechanism are poorly understood. Here, we show that bright light treatment reduces the increase in nonrapid eye movement (NREM) sleep induced by chronic stress through a di–synaptic visual circuit consisting of the thalamic ventral lateral geniculate nucleus and intergeniculate leaflet (vLGN/IGL), lateral habenula (LHb), and rostromedial tegmental nucleus (RMTg). Specifically, chronic stress causes a marked increase in NREM sleep duration and a complementary decrease in wakefulness time in mice. Specific activation of RMTg–projecting LHb neurons or activation of RMTg neurons receiving direct LHb inputs mimics the effects of chronic stress on sleep patterns, while inhibition of RMTg–projecting LHb neurons or RMTg neurons receiving direct LHb inputs reduces the NREM sleep–promoting effects of chronic stress. Importantly, we demonstrate that bright light treatment reduces the NREM sleep–promoting effects of chronic stress through the vLGN/IGL–LHb–RMTg pathway. Together, our results provide a circuit mechanism underlying the effects of bright light treatment on sleep alterations induced by chronic stress.
Assessment of drug-susceptible and multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in the Central Region of Somalia: A 3-year retrospective study
Authors: Mohamed Mohamed Abdelrahman , Ali Omer Abdikarin , Osman Aamir Muse , Abatcha Mustapha Goni , Ahmed Abdirahman Abdirizak , Ali Ali Mohamed , Dirie Abdifatah Ahmed , de Oliveira Celso José Bruno , Osman Abdinasir Yusuf , Wang Shu-Hua , Vieira Rafael F. C.
Published: September 2023

Background

Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) remains a public health emergency and a threat globally. Although increasing MDR-TB cases have been recently reported in Somalia, limited information is known. This study aims to determine the prevalence of drug-susceptible and MDR-TB in suspected patients referred to the TB Department in Mudug Hospital, Galkayo, Somalia, and identify potential factors associated with MDR-TB.

Methods

A 3-year hospital laboratory-based retrospective study was conducted by manually reviewing laboratory records of Mycobacterium tuberculosis specimens and GeneXpert MTB/RIF results from January 2019 to December 2021 at the reference mycobacteria laboratory department in Mudug Hospital.

Results

A total of 714 positive GeneXpert-MTB results were identified: 619 (86.7%) were drug susceptible (no Rifampin resistance [RR] detected) and 95 (13.3%) with RR detected or defined as MDR-TB. Most of the MDR-TB patients were males (71.6%, 68/95) and between the ages of 15 to 24 (31.6%, 30/95). Most isolates were collected in 2021 (43.2%, 41/95). Multivariate analyses show no significant difference between patients having MDR-TB and/or drug-susceptible TB for all variables.

Conclusion

This study showed an alarming frequency of MDR-TB cases among M. tuberculosis-positive patients at a regional TB reference laboratory in central Somalia.
Certificateless broadcast signcryption scheme supporting equality test in smart grid
Authors: Niu Shufen , Dong Runyuan , Fang Lizhi
Published: September 2023

With the development of cloud computing and the application of Internet of Things (IoT) in the smart grid, a massive amount of sensitive data is produced by the terminal equipment. This vast amount of data is subject to various attacks during transmission, from which users must be protected. However, most of the existing schemes require a large amount of network bandwidth resources and cannot ensure the receiver’s anonymity. To solve these shortcomings, we construct a broadcast signcryption scheme supporting equality test based on certificateless cryptosystem. The scheme employs a symmetric encryption algorithm to improve encryption and transmission efficiency; The Lagrange interpolation theorem is used to encrypt the user’s identity to ensure the privacy preservation of terminal devices; And a trusted third party is used to eliminate duplicated ciphertext for identical messages using an equality test, resulting in efficient network bandwidth utilization. Experimental analysis shows that our work has greater advantages in the field of practical broadcast services.
Identifying indicators sensitive to primary healthcare nurse practitioner practice: A review of systematic reviews
Authors: Kilpatrick Kelley , Tchouaket Eric , Savard Isabelle , Chouinard Maud-Christine , Bouabdillah Naima , Provost-Bazinet Bruno , Costanzo Gina , Houle Julie , St-Louis Geneviève , Jabbour Mira , Atallah Renée
Published: September 2023

Aim

To identify indicators sensitive to the practice of primary healthcare nurse practitioners (PHCNPs).

Materials and methods

A review of systematic reviews was undertaken to identify indicators sensitive to PHCNP practice. Published and grey literature was searched from January 1, 2010 to December 2, 2022. Titles/abstracts (n = 4251) and full texts (n = 365) were screened independently by two reviewers, with a third acting as a tie-breaker. Reference lists of relevant publications were reviewed. Risk of bias was examined independently by two reviewers using AMSTAR-2. Data were extracted by one reviewer and verified by a second reviewer to describe study characteristics, indicators, and results. Indicators were recoded into categories. Findings were summarized using narrative synthesis.

Results

Forty-four systematic reviews were retained including 271 indicators that were recoded into 26 indicator categories at the patient, provider and health system levels. Nineteen reviews were assessed to be at low risk of bias. Patient indicator categories included activities of daily living, adaptation to health conditions, clinical conditions, diagnosis, education-patient, mortality, patient adherence, quality of life, satisfaction, and signs and symptoms. Provider indicator categories included adherence to best practice-providers, education-providers, illness prevention, interprofessional team functioning, and prescribing. Health system indicator categories included access to care, consultations, costs, emergency room visits, healthcare service delivery, hospitalizations, length of stay, patient safety, quality of care, scope of practice, and wait times.

Discussion

Equal to improved care for almost all indicators was found consistently for the PHCNP group. Very few indicators favoured the control group. No indicator was identified for high/low fidelity simulation, cultural safety and cultural sensitivity with people in vulnerable situations or Indigenous Peoples.

Conclusion

This review of systematic reviews identified patient, provider and health system indicators sensitive to PHCNP practice. The findings help clarify how PHCNPs contribute to care outcomes.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42020198182.
An atopic dermatitis-like murine model by skin-brushed cockroach Per a 2 and oral tolerance induction by Lactococcus lactis-derived Per a 2
Authors: Lee Mey-Fann , Wang Nancy M. , Chen Yi-Hsing , Wu Chi-Sheng , Lee Ming-Hao , Chu Yu-Wen
Published: September 2023

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a complex, chronic inflammatory skin disease. An estimated 57.5% of asthmatic patients and 50.7% of rhinitis patients are allergic to cockroaches in Taiwan. However, the role of cockroaches in the pathogenesis of AD is undetermined. Oral tolerance might be another strategy for protecting against AD and allergic inflammation by regulating T helper 2 (Th2) immune responses. Aim to examine the underlying immunologic mechanism, we developed an AD-like murine model by skin-brushing with cockroach Per a 2. We also investigated whether the systemic inflammation of AD in this murine model could be improved by specific tolerance to Lactococcus lactis-expressing Per a 2, which was administered orally. Repeated painting of Per a 2 without adjuvant to the skin of mice resulted in increased total IgE, Per a 2-specific IgE, and IgG1, but not IgG2a. In addition, epidermal thickening was significantly increased, there were more scratch episodes, and there were increases in total white blood cells (eosinophil, neutrophil, and lymphocyte) and Th2 cytokines (Interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, IL-9, and IL-13) in a dose-dependent manner. The results revealed that oral administration of L. lactis-Per a 2 ameliorated Per a 2-induced scratch behavior and decreased the production of total IgE, Per a 2-specific IgE, and IgG1. Furthermore, L. lactis-Per a 2 treatment also suppressed inflammatory infiltration, expressions of thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) and IL-31 in skin lesions, and downregulated splenic IL-4 and IL-13 in Per a 2-induced AD mice. This study provides evidence supporting that repeated brushing of aeroallergens to the skin leads to atopic dermatitis phenotypes and oral allergen-specific immune tolerance can ameliorate AD-like symptoms and systemic inflammation and prevent progression of atopic march.
Putting diplomacy at the forefront of Water Diplomacy
Authors: Hussein Hussam , Campbell Zoe , Leather Josephine , Ryce Patrick
Published: September 2023

Water diplomacy is a recent term that has been used to analyse hydropoltiical dynamics and issues that may arise when discussing transboundary water governance. In fact, the shared nature of transboundary water resources may lead to tension over their allocation and use which can in turn aggravate or harm interstate relations and cooperation. This is important as most freshwater resource systems cross jurisdictional borders, with 153 countries sharing transboundary rivers, lakes, and aquifers. Thus, a coordinated and sustainable management of these resources through water diplomacy is vital. While the concept of water diplomacy has been defined in several ways, we stress the need to emphasise diplomacy and the goals beyond the water field when considering this concept.
‘The American Look’: The transformation of women’s sportswear in 1930s and 1940s America
Authors: Kealy-Morris Elizabeth
Published: September 2023

This article will suggest that the American sportswear style reflects the unique historical and cultural influences on American dress from the birth of the new democratic nation in the eighteenth century to the dominance of New York City’s ready-to-wear industry in the 1950s. Focusing on the key decades of the 1930s and 1940s, this article will explore the marketing campaign of Dorothy Shaver, vice-president of the luxury retailer Lord & Taylor, who in 1932 coined the phrase ‘the American Look’ to promote American fashion designers’ collections. The legacy of sportswear designer Claire McCardell, arguably the best known of the New York-based ready-to-wear designers will be examined. McCardell’s combination of nostalgic American prairie style with the use of everyday workwear fabrics of cotton plaid, denim, wool and jersey created an unpretentious casual American style based on comfort, ease and flexibility, which is reflected today in the contemporary American ready-to-wear market. The article will maintain that the promotion of the American Look via photographic shoots, magazines, advertisements, visual merchandising, exhibition and film influenced the style and taste of dress that the female American body ought to ‘fit into’. This style, it will be argued, encouraged the development of a cultural memory of American dress by establishing a material link between national identity and clothing.
Statistical Analysis of the Hydrological and Hydrometeorological Characteristics of the Upper Tisza Basin
Authors: Czomba Péter , Vass Róbert , Túri Zoltán
Published: September 2023

Tisza is the largest water base in the eastern part of Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg County, in north-eastern Hungary, and its indirect use is mainly associated with agriculture. Our work investigates the hypothesis that decrease in water levels and water discharges of the Upper Tisza in recent decades, together with the incision of the riverbed and the precipitation falling in the area, have an impact on the groundwater level of the Szatmár-Bereg Plain. In our study, data from three water gauges located between the settlements of Tiszaújlak and Vásárosnamény and data from groundwater level monitoring wells (MW) and Hydrometeorological (HMS) stations on the Szatmár-Bereg Plain were compared using statistical methods in Past 4.11 software. The aim of the current study was to identify the strategic steps that need to be taken by the organisations responsible for water management in the Upper Tisza basin in the light of the changes in hydrological, hydrometeorological, and meteorological factors. To ensure that the region has sufficient water supplies for the next decade, appropriate water management and agricultural strategies could be the solution.
RELIGIOUS DISCOURSE IN THE ARAB MEDIA
Authors: KLAINA MEKKI
Published: September 2023

The goal of oral and written Arab media is to send a message both inside and outside the country, to correct a misconception, or to spread a negative opinion about a particular aspect of politics, society, or the economy for a variety of reasons. Under the guise of modernizing the religious discourse, condemning its past, emancipating itself from religion, or restricting itself to international norms, this discourse had a presence in the Arab media. On the other hand, a different discourse seeks to portray Islam as a religion of peace, rights, and responsibilities as well as an embrace of others free from prejudice. The 2011 attack contributed to the growth of Islamophobia, which necessitates an inclusive conversation for understanding. This study will examine the consequences of this prevalent discourse on social cohesion in the Arab world. For this purpose, many institutions and scholars try to clarify the issue to improve social and religious life.

Keyword: religious discourse; Islam; Arab media; Islamophobia
Mathematics and Sciences Curriculum Objectives, Comparison of Textbook Questions and LGS Questions
Authors: SUCUOĞLU Hale , YASEMİN Deniz , YILMAZ Tuğba
Published: September 2023

This study aims to analyse Grade 8 objectives in the year 2018 Mathematics and Sciences curricula, and the compatibility between the 2021-2022 academic period textbooks of the Ministry of National Education (MEB) and the year 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 High School Placement Exam (LGS) questions according to Original Bloom Taxonomy. The 52 objectives specified under Grade 8 Mathematics Curriculum and the 61 objectives specified under Grade 8 Sciences Curriculum as well as the review questions at the end of modules and units of the Mathematic textbooks and Science textbooks were analysed against the 160 LGS questions posed under the science examination section in the years 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 in order to gather data. Analysis of Grade 8 Mathematics Curriculum has shown that largest objectives were observed in practice (f= 20) and comprehension (f= 18) stages. Analysis of Grade 8 Sciences Curriculum has shown that objectives in this domain were observed to be at knowledge stage for eight objectives, at comprehension stage for 25 objectives, at practice stage for seven objectives, at analysis stage for three objectives, at synthesis stage for eight objectives and at assessment stage for six objectives. It is found that objectives under both curricula cover multiple cognitive domain stages. Study data has led to identification of no affective objective among mathematics objectives, while two affective and two psychomotor domain objectives were identified among science objectives. Analysis of both curricula reveal that the objectives under the curricula and questions in the textbooks are supportive regarding LGS questions aimed at comprehension and practice stages, but insufficient for questions aimed at analysis and assessment stages which require higher level cognitive skills.
An In-Depth Investigation of Parents' Experiences about the Developmental and Diagnosis Process of Children with Specific Learning
Authors: İZOGLU TOK Asli , YILDIZ Emre , KAYMAZ Çiğdem , DEĞİRMENCİ Gizem Yağmur , ŞAHİN Semra
Published: September 2023

This study examines the developmental processes, diagnosis processes, and needs of children with specific learning disabilities based on their parents' experiences. The research was conducted with a qualitative research methodology. The study group in the research was formed by the typical sampling method. The study group comprises the parents of 12 students with specific learning disabilities educated in mainstream classrooms. The researchers developed a semi-structured interview form in the context of literature. Content analysis of the transcribed voice recordings was made. As a result, four main themes emerged “Developmental Process, Social Relations, Diagnosis Process, and Strengths and Weaknesses.” The parents have difficulties in their children's self-care skills, motor development, social development, cognitive development, and language development compared to their peers in preschool. The parents noticed their children's development needs during the homework process and pointed out the low level of knowledge of the teachers in both preschool and school periods. It was stated that the children had developmental needs in all developmental areas, especially language development in the preschool period. Also, parents expressed that their children have difficulties with often drawing attention to the difficulties experienced by their children in social relations.
Mycobiota in Slovak wine grapes: A case study from the small Carpathians wine region
Authors: Felšöciová Soňa , Sabo Jozef , Čmiková Natália , Kowalczewski Przemysław Łukasz , Kačániová Miroslava
Published: September 2023

The microbiological characteristics of the grapes are made up of a wide variety of microorganisms, including filamentous fungi. Their presence in grapes is traditionally associated with deterioration in quality. The health of the grapes is very important for obtaining quality wine. The objective of this study was to investigate the diversity of mycobiota on the surface and inside of different grapevine varieties at harvest time in the temperate climate of Slovakia and to identify potentially pathogenic isolates of Aspergillus and Penicillium producing selected mycotoxins. During the 2021 grape harvest, grapes were collected from the Small Carpathians wine region. Eleven grape samples were analyzed by the plating method and plating method with surface disinfection. Emphasis was placed on Aspergillus and Penicillium species because of their importance in mycotoxin production. Of the 605 fungal strains detected, 11 genera were identified in the exogenous mycobiota. The most common and abundant genera were Alternaria and Botrytis. In the genus Aspergillus, A. section Nigri is the most abundant, while in the genus Penicillium, P. raistrickii reached the highest frequency and abundance. Of the 379 strains detected and identified from the endogenous mycobiota, the most common genera were again Alternaria and Botrytis and the most abundant genus was Botrytis. Penicillium species were detected in 17% of all fungi found, with P. raistrickii dominating. The A. section Nigri reached only 4% of the relative density of all isolates. Potentially toxigenic Aspergillus and Penicillium species were tested for toxinogenity by thin layer chromatography. The most important mycotoxin-producing species found were A. section Nigri but without ochratoxin A production.
Prenatal diagnosis and management of Milroy syndrome: a case report
Authors: Fasoulakis Zacharias , Chatziioannou Marianna , Koutras Antonios , Theodora Marianna , Pegkou Afroditi , Pampanos Andreas , Daskalakis George , Antsaklis Panagiotis
Published: September 2023

Objectives

Milroy syndrome is a rare hereditary disorder characterized by congenital lymphedema, caused by mutations in the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 3 (VEGFR3) gene.

Case presentation

We present a case report of a first-described mutation of a male fetus diagnosed prenatally with Milroy syndrome through amniocentesis. The fetus had bilateral lower limb edema, and genetic testing confirmed the diagnosis of Milroy syndrome. The patient was closely monitored throughout the pregnancy, and after delivery, the infant was managed with appropriate therapies, including compression garments and manual lymphatic drainage. The parents were provided with appropriate counseling and support.

Conclusions

This case highlights the significance of early detection and appropriate management of Milroy syndrome, which can lead to improved outcomes for affected infants.
Research on Corporate Entrepreneurship in Developing Countries: A Review and Agenda for Future Directions
Authors: Orozco Jairo , Turro Andreu , Urbano David
Published: September 2023

The majority of research on corporate entrepreneurship focuses on developed countries and overlooks that various cultural and economic contexts may lead to different intensities and behaviors in entrepreneurial activities. This omission could challenge extant theoretical models and assumptions. Accordingly, this article intends to analyze the literature on corporate entrepreneurship in developing countries. The paper adopts a two-step research approach, a systematic literature review, and a bibliometric (co-word analysis) analysis of 85 articles published between 1999 and 2021. We identify the major articles, journals, and scholars that made significant contributions to the field within the context by summarizing and describing indicators, such as number of publications, citations, theoretical and methodological perspectives, topic trends, and thematic maps. Analysis enables the study to establish that research on corporate entrepreneurship in developing countries comprises three major thematic classifications, namely, determinants and effects of corporate entrepreneurship; determinants of intrapreneurship and performance, and dynamic capabilities and corporate entrepreneurship. In summary, this article contributes to an enhanced understanding of the concepts and dimensions of corporate entrepreneurship within developing countries. In addition, it provides a research agenda; hence, we propose future directions that shape the dynamics of the field and that provide relevant insights for researchers and managers interested in corporate entrepreneurship in the context of developing countries.
Association of neck circumference and waist-hip ratio with total leukocyte count in healthy Indian adolescents
Authors: Meher Arati , Mohapatra Dipti , Behera Manasi , Mishra Tapaswini , Panda Priyambada
Published: September 2023

Objectives

One of the major risk factors for cardiovascular disease is obesity, particularly abdominal and visceral obesity. Another concern for it is inflammation. Both risk factors are interrelated as obesity is a state of subacute low-grade systemic inflammation. As neck circumference and waist-hip ratio are potential indicators of obesity, we wanted to compare the level of total leukocyte count in subjects with normal and high neck circumference and waist-hip ratio. We also wanted to observe whether there is any correlation between neck circumference and waist-hip ratio with total leukocyte count.

Methods

We selected 62 subjects (30 males, and 32 females) for the study. Both males and females were categorized into groups of normal and high neck circumference and waist-hip ratios. The total leukocyte count was compared among the groups and we correlated neck circumference and waist-hip ratios with total leukocyte count. Statistical analysis was done with SPSS version 23.0.

Results

We observed a statistically significant higher value of total leukocyte count in males with a high waist-hip ratio. But there was not a significant increase in TLC in males with high neck circumference. In females, the values were insignificant. On Pearson correlation, there was a negative correlation between neck circumference, waist-hip ratio, and total leukocyte count in both genders which is not significant.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that waist-hip ratio rather than neck circumference might be a proxy measure of a marker of inflammation in males.
Pregnancy, delivery and neonatal outcomes in women with gastrointestinal system cancer in pregnancy. An evaluation of a population database
Authors: Amikam Uri , Badeghiesh Ahmad , Baghlaf Haitham , Brown Richard , Dahan Michael H.
Published: September 2023

Objectives

Gastrointestinal system (GIS) cancer in pregnancy is a rare disease. Our aim was to evaluate the association between this type of cancer and pregnancy, delivery and neonatal outcomes.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective population-based cohort study using the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project, Nation-wide Inpatient Sample (HCUP-NIS). We included all women who delivered or had a maternal death in the US between 2004 and 2014. We compared women with an ICD-9 diagnosis of GIS cancer to those without. Pregnancy, delivery, and neonatal outcomes were compared between the two groups.

Results

A total of 9,096,788 women met inclusion criteria. Amongst them, 194 women (2/100,000) had a diagnosis of GIS cancer during pregnancy. Women with GIS cancer, compared to those without, were more likely to be Caucasian, older than 35 years of age, and to suffer from obesity, chronic hypertension, pregestational diabetes and thyroid disease. The cancer group had a lower rate of spontaneous vaginal delivery (aOR 0.2, 95 % CI 0.13–0.27, p<0.001), and a higher rate of preterm delivery (aOR 1.85, 95 % CI 1.21–2.82, p=0.04), and of maternal complications such as blood transfusion (aOR 24.7, 95 % CI 17.11–35.66, p<0.001), disseminated intravascular coagulation (aOR 14.56, 95 % CI 3.56–59.55, p<0.001), venous thromboembolism (aOR 9.4, 95 % CI 2.3–38.42, p=0.002) and maternal death (aOR 8.02, 95 % CI 2.55–25.34, p<0.001). Neonatal outcomes were comparable between the two groups.

Conclusions

Women with a diagnosis of GIS cancer in pregnancy have a higher incidence of maternal complications including maternal death, without any differences in neonatal outcomes.
Lumican silencing ameliorates β-glycerophosphate-mediated vascular smooth muscle cell calcification by attenuating the inhibition of APOB on KIF2C activity
Authors: Li Haibin , Zhang Chunyan , Liu Qiang
Published: September 2023

Adverse cardiovascular events are associated with vascular calcification (VC) process, where vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) differentiate into osteoblastic phenotype and deposit hydroxyapatite crystals. Microtubule-associated protein kinesin family member 2C (KIF2C) expression is decreased obviously in VSMC during calcification induction. Accordingly, we investigate the role and potential mechanism of KIF2C on VSMC calcification. The effects of β-glycerophosphate (β-GP)/KIF2C/lumican (LUM) on calcification, calcium content, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, calcification-related markers, Tubulin, the ratio of polymerized (Po) to free (Fr) tubulin, as well as levels of LUM, apolipoprotein B (APOB), and KIF2C were assessed by Alizarin red S staining, calcium assay kit, ALP assay kit, Western blot, immunofluorescence, and quantitative real-time PCR. The interplay between LUM and APOB was estimated using co-immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence. As a result, β-GP promoted calcification of human VMSCs (HVMSCs) and repressed KIF2C expression. KIF2C overexpression reversed the effect of β-GP on HVSMCs. LUM silencing attenuated β-GP-induced promotion on HVSMC calcification and increased KIF2C expression by interacting with APOB. Collectively, LUM silencing can alleviate β-GP-induced VSMC calcification through mitigating the repression of APOB on KIF2C expression.
What is what if?
Authors: Li Wenshan , Liu Jiang
Published: September 2023

With literature and empirical evidence, this article argues against the existing claim that what if-questions are idioms and proposes that they are the result of the syntactic and semantic combination of what and if-conditionals. With further evidence, it is argued that what can be a propositional anaphor which occurs in different contexts, rather than being restricted to what if-questions. A formal characterization of the syntactic and semantic properties of the propositional what is formulated in the framework of Dynamic Syntax, demonstrating how this word makes semantic and syntactic contributions to the interpretation of utterances in English as a mechanism of interaction between interlocutors.