bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The current state of minimally invasive cardiac surgery in Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Akintoye Oluwanifemi O. , Adu Bukola G. , Otorkpa Michael J. , Olayode Oluwatobi O. , Fodop Samuel , Alemede Peace O. , Enyong Ruth K. , Anele Feziechi C. , Omoregbee Benjamin I.
Published: August 2024

Background

Globally, the utilisation of minimally invasive techniques has become increasingly prevalent. While traditional open-heart procedures still dominate the landscape, a significant portion of cardiac surgeries are now performed minimally invasively. The aim of this study is to provide an insightful overview of the current state of minimally invasive cardiac surgery in Africa.

Main body

A comprehensive database search was performed on PubMed, African Journal Online, Google Scholar, and Scopus to identify published data reporting on outcomes of minimally invasive cardiac surgery in Africa, from inception till June 2024. We used the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis guidelines to undergo this study. The primary outcomes of interest were in-hospital mortality and overall mortality. Data were pooled together and analysed using a random effect model for meta-analysis with R software. Out of a total of 2309 articles identified, only fourteen papers met our inclusion criteria following deduplication and screening. The four countries with published research include Egypt, South Africa, Tanzania, and Morocco, with a total sample size of 1357 patients. The meta-analysis of the reported outcomes produced a pooled in-hospital mortality prevalence of 1.18%, while the pooled overall mortality prevalence was 2.23%. There was no statistically significant difference in outcomes between the mini sternotomy and the full sternotomy group.

Conclusion

The pooled outcomes of minimally invasive cardiac surgery in Africa are comparable to those in other regions. However, there are several socio-economic factors limiting its widespread practice in Africa.
Laryngo pharyngeal affection of COVID-19 during Delta and Omicron variant (Comparative Study)
Authors: Anwar Hanan , Ragab Ahmed , Rashad Asmaa El-Dessouky
Published: August 2024

Background

Since the declaration of COVID-19 as a pandemic in 2020, its main symptoms have primarily affected the respiratory system. However, it also presents other systemic manifestations, including symptoms related to the larynx and pharynx. COVID-19 has evolved into subsequent variants, starting from the alpha variant and currently dominated by the Omicron variant, with the Delta variant being the most severe.

The study aimed to elucidate the laryngo pharyngeal manifestations related to Delta and Omicron variants of COVID-19 as well as the associated risk factors.

Results

This study adopted a case–control design. The data were collected from patients who attended the phoniatric outpatient clinic at Menoufia University Hospital from January to December 2022. Patients were categorized into three groups (50 patients each). Group I consisted of patients who exhibited COVID-19 Laryngo pharyngeal symptoms during the Delta wave (Group 1) and the Omicron wave (Group 2). The control group included non-COVID-19 participants. The symptoms related to the larynx and pharynx were documented. In addition, laryngoscopic and stroboscopic examinations were done. The age of individuals affected by the Delta variant was higher. Delta cases exhibited a higher rate of smoking, diabetes, hypertension, and COPD compared to Omicron cases. Additionally, Delta cases displayed greater severity. Dysphagia, dysphonia, choking attacks related to swallowing, and stridor had significant higher rate in the Delta variant compared to the Omicron variant. The Delta variant primarily exhibited unilateral vocal fold paralysis in 38% of cases, as well as bilateral vocal fold paresis and paralysis in 20% and 22% of cases, respectively. In contrast, Omicron cases predominantly showed vocal fold congestion (80% of cases). Delta cases were more prone to experiencing abnormalities in amplitude, symmetry, and periodicity.

Conclusions

The Delta variant is more prone to neurologic affection of the vocal folds manifesting as paresis and paralysis, whereas the Omicron variant, which has maintained its dominance thus far, experiences milder affection, primarily manifesting as congestion. Consequently, laryngeal affection with various degrees of severity is still suspected.
Validation of a Novel Method for Noninvasive Mixed Venous Oxygen Saturation Monitoring in Anesthetized Children
Authors: Svedmyr Anders , Steiner Kristoffer , Andersson Andreas , Sjöberg Gunnar , Hallbäck Magnus , Wallin Mats , Lönnqvist Per-Arne , Karlsson Jacob
Published: August 2024

BACKGROUND:

Mixed venous oxygen saturation (SvO2) is a critical variable in the assessment of oxygen supply and demand but is rarely used in children due to the invasive nature of pulmonary artery catheters. The aim of this prospective, observational study was to investigate the accuracy of noninvasively measured SvO2 acquired by the novel capnodynamic method, based on differential Fick equation (Capno-SvO2), against gold standard CO-oximetry.

METHODS:

Capno-SvO2 was compared to SvO2 measured by pulmonary artery blood gas CO-oximetry in children undergoing cardiac catheter interventions and subjected to moderate hemodynamic challenges. Bland-Altman analysis was used to describe the agreement of absolute values between CO-oximetry and Capno-SvO2, and a concordance rate was calculated to evaluate the ability of Capno-SvO2 to track change.

RESULTS:

Twenty-five procedures were included in the study. Capno-SvO2 showed a bias toward CO-oximetry of +3 percentage points; upper and lower limits of agreement were +11 percentage points (95% confidence interval [CI], 9–14) and −5 percentage points (95% CI, −8 to −3), respectively. The concordance rate was 92% (95% CI, 89–96).

CONCLUSIONS:

In conclusion, this first clinical application of a novel concept for noninvasive SvO2 monitoring without the need for a pulmonary artery catheter indicates that Capno-SvO2 generates absolute values and trending capacity in close agreement with the gold standard reference method.
The Woman with Scissors and Glue: Film Editing and Radical Montage in Weimar Cinema
Authors: Hennessy Mary
Published: August 2024

This article examines the role of the female film editor in the production of German silent cinema, turning to the depiction of editing in a little-known short comedy from 1926, Wenn die Filmkleberin gebummelt hat (When the Film Editor Dawdled, dir. O. F. Mauer), also known as Tragödie einer Uraufführung (Tragedy of a World Premiere). This film, about a distracted editor who mixes revue film and newsreel footage to produce an avant-garde montage film, hands authority over the film to the editor while suggesting that the film she has produced is simply a mistake. Situating the film within discourse on silent-film production practices and Weimar-era montage techniques, the article uses the film as a magnifying glass through which to consider female labor and its relationship to mediation and aesthetic form. It shows how the film offers a remarkable—and relatively early—feminist theory of montage as disruption that hinges on unruly women workers.
Habermas the Freelance Journalist: The Relationship between Theory and Practice in Habermas’s Early Career
Authors: Verovšek Peter J.
Published: August 2024

Although Jürgen Habermas is one of postwar Europe’s leading philosophers and public intellectuals, the secondary literature often portrays him as an apolitical thinker with little interest in “real politics.” This article demonstrates that from the beginning of his career Habermas was an intensely political thinker, who tried to mediate his political convictions and philosophical interests. Drawing on articles he produced as a freelance journalist before arriving at the Institute for Social Research in 1956—as well as the correspondence contained in the Habermas archives at the Goethe University in Frankfurt am Main—the article shows that Habermas sought to combine his political and philosophical interests from the start. It argues that these relatively unknown and understudied texts highlight the development of Habermas’s understanding of the relationship of theory to practice and also help explain his attraction to the Frankfurt School in general, as well as to Theodor Adorno specifically.
US International Corporate Taxation after the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act
Authors: Clausing Kimberly A.
Published: August 2024

The root dilemma that informs the past, present, and future of US international taxation is the tension between two desiderata: protecting the corporate tax base from erosion and ensuring the competitiveness of US multinational firms in the world economy. This article begins by exploring that tension, discussing the evidence behind these competing policy goals. It then considers the international tax provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. TCJA enacted transformative changes in US corporate tax policy, but it did not resolve long held policy concerns. While research on TCJA is in early stages, evidence indicates that TCJA substantially reduced corporate tax revenues, that TCJA’s international provisions (as a whole) raised less revenue than expected, that offshoring and profit shifting remain large policy concerns, that changes in US multinational company competitiveness were mixed, and that underlying trends in wages and investment did not change due to TCJA. While TCJA was unable to resolve the tension between competitiveness and tax base protection, the Pillar 2 international tax agreement shows more promise in that regard. As countries throughout the world implement a “country-by-country” minimum tax on multinational income of 15 percent, this has the potential to disrupt long-standing arguments about international corporate taxation.
An Open Letter on Advancing HIV prevention: Augmenting an ecosystem-based approach to understand prevention decision-making
Authors: Gantayat Nishan , Baer James , Gangaramany Alok , Pierce-Messick Rosemary
Published: August 2024

In the last two decades, HIV programs have been able to avert millions of AIDS-related deaths and reduce HIV incidence. However, the 1.3 million new HIV infections in 2022 remain significantly above the UNAIDS target of fewer than 370,000 new infections by 2025. HIV programs worldwide also did not achieve the UN’s 90-90-90 target for testing and treatment set for 2020. Within this broader picture, HIV continues to disproportionately affect key and at-risk populations, including gay men and other men who have sex with men, female sex workers, and adolescent girls and young women. As HIV incidence declines and biomedical advances continue, it will become critical for public-health practitioners to reach key and at-risk populations with prevention services and limit primary transmission. In this Open Letter, we focus on demand for HIV prevention to illuminate factors that influence uptake of HIV prevention products and services. These factors exist at three levels of the decision-making ecosystem – the individual level, interaction level and systemic level. We argue that approaching HIV prevention solely through the lens of these levels creates a static view of prevention decision-making. There is a need instead for a dynamic viewpoint that can mirror the changing contexts in which users find themselves and make prevention decisions. We demonstrate that the current ecosystem viewpoint is useful to understand the gaps that exist in program implementation, but does not provide adequate insights into the underlying behaviors that contribute to these gaps. To address this, we suggest an approach to include dynamic aspects of decision-making with factors that influence the individual’s assessment of risk, their evaluation of the opportunities to use HIV prevention, and their effective use of prevention products.
ADOxx: Eine Low-Code-Plattform für die Entwicklung von Modellierungswerkzeugen
Authors: Völz Alexander , Amlashi Danial M. , Burzynski Patrik , Utz Wilfrid
Published: August 2024

In dem semantisch reichhaltigen Gebiet der konzeptionellen Modellierung besteht ein Bedarf an offenen und benutzerfreundlichen Plattformen zur Entwicklung von Modellierungswerkzeugen. Dieser Bedarf ergibt sich aus dem stetigen Wandel von etablierten Modellierungsstandards (z. B. BPMN, UML, ArchiMate) sowie domänenspezifischen Anforderungen. In der Anwendung manifestieren sich derartige Anpassungen bei der Realisierung von Unternehmensinformationssystemen, die sich auch angesichts technischer Herausforderungen kontinuierlich weiterentwickeln. Dieser Beitrag präsentiert einen konzeptionellen Low-Code-Ansatz für Open-Source-Metamodellierungsplattformen, der auf Basis von ADOxx prototypisch umgesetzt ist. Hierbei spielen Low-Code-Konzepte wie visuelle Drag-and-Drop-Editoren, Point-and-Click-Interaktionen, sowie das Prinzip der Wiederverwendung eine zentrale Rolle. Letzteres ermöglicht eine effiziente Integration von unterschiedlichsten Komponenten existierender Implementierungen, die auf Basis von über 50 bereits entwickelten Modellierungswerkzeugen zusammengetragen wurden. Die entsprechenden Anforderungen, die sich für den vorgestellten Ansatz ergeben, basieren auf einem evolutionären Entwicklungsprozess, der sich aus den mit verschiedenen Versionen der Plattform entwickelten Werkzeugen ableitet. Der Anspruch an Low-Code-Metamodellierungsplattformen ist die intuitive Realisierung von domänenspezifischen Modellierungswerkzeugen und die gleichzeitige Etablierung neuer Entwicklungsverfahren in der konzeptionellen Modellierung. Die Verwirklichung dieses erhobenen Anspruches steht im Einklang mit den aktuellen Trends im Bereich von Low-Code-Entwicklungsplattformen, welche durch die fortlaufende Anpassung an fortgeschrittene Funktionalitäten – wie die Integration von externen Diensten und Sicherheitsmechanismen, die zuvor primär durch traditionelle Programmierung umgesetzt wurden – vorangetrieben werden.
Prevalence, resistance profiles and factors associated with skin and soft-tissue infections at Jinja regional referral hospital: A retrospective study
Authors: Lwigale Fahad , Kibombo Daniel , Kasango Simon Dembe , Tabajjwa Dickson , Atuheire Collins , Kungu Joseph , Kalule John Bosco , Otita Morgan , Kakooza Francis , Nabukenya Immaculate , Mayito Jonathan , Rwego Innocent B.
Published: August 2024

Skin and soft-tissue infections (SSTI) are common cases of hospital-acquired infections with aetiological agents exhibiting antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This is a global public health predicament responsible for a high burden of infectious diseases and threatens the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially in Low- and Middle-Income countries (LMICs). This study determined the prevalence of SSTI, proportion of laboratory-investigated cases, AMR-profiles, and factors associated with SSTI and multi-drug resistance (MDR). This was based on records of patients suspected of SSTI for the period of 2019–2021 at Jinja Regional Referral Hospital. The analysis involved 268 randomly selected patient reports using WHONET 2022 and Stata 17 at the 95% confidence level. The prevalence of SSTI was 66.4%. Cases that involved laboratory testing were 14.1%. Staphylococcus aureus (n = 51) was the most isolated organism. MDR pathogens explained 47% of infections. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was up to 44%. In addition, 61% of Gram-negatives had the potential to produce extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL), while 27% were non-susceptible to carbapenems. Ward of admission was significantly associated with infection (aPR = 1.78, 95% CI: 1.00–3.18, p-value = 0.04). Age category (19–35) was an independent predictor for MDR infections (aPR = 2.30, 95%CI:1.02–5.23, p-value = 0.04). The prevalence of SSTI is high with MDR pathogens responsible for almost half of the infections. Gentamicin and ciprofloxacin can be considered for empirical management of strictly emergency SSTI cases suspected of Staphylococcus aureus. Given the high resistance observed, laboratory-based diagnosis should be increased to use the most appropriate treatment. Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) strategies should be heightened to reduce the prevalence of SSTI. Recognizing SSTI under the Global Antimicrobial resistance Surveillance System (GLASS) would lead to improved preparedness and response to AMR.
Olive leaf extract-assisted green synthesis of cd nano complex: A combined experimental and theoretical study
Authors: Alshammari Mutairah S. , H. Taha Rania , Almutlq Nowarah J. , Mohamed Sabrein H.
Published: August 2024

Research in the synthesis of Schiff base ligands and their metal complexes using olive leaf extracts as a green reducing agent is an exciting area of study. In this research, a Schiff base ligand is created by combining 1-hydroxy-2-naphthaldehyde and amino-N-(4,6-dimethylpyrimidin-2-yl)-4-benzenesulfonamide. The synthetic Schiff base is then utilized for the production of a Cd(II) nano complex for the first time with olive leaf extracts serving as the green reducing agent. The extract is obtained by harvesting, drying, and grinding the olive leaves. Various analytical techniques, including 1H NMR, 13C NMR spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope (SEM), and conductivity studies, are employed to analyze the Schiff base and its Cd(II) complex. Quantum chemical calculations are also conducted to explore the different conformers of the Cd(II) complex and their stabilities, shedding light on the synthesis pathways of the Schiff base ligand and Cd(II) complex. Extensive DFT-based geometry optimizations and frequency calculations are carried out for 1-hydroxy-2-naphthaldehyde,amino-N-(4,6-dimethylpyrimidin-2-yl)-4-benzenesulfonamide, the Schiff base ligand, and the corresponding Cd(II) complex. Experimental and theoretical analyses confirm the presence of the azomethine (-HC = N-) group in the Schiff base and validate the formation of the Cd(II) complex in a 2:1 metal-to-ligand ratio through physicochemical characterization methods, highlighting the nanoscale structure of the complex. Combining thorough physicochemical investigations with molecular modeling simulations and the sustainable synthesis of metal complexes, valuable insights into their properties and potential applications in catalysis and drug delivery are obtained.
In silico approaches to study the human asparagine synthetase: An insight of the interaction between the enzyme active sites and its substrates
Authors: Riaz Anam , Kaleem Afshan , Abdullah Roheena , Iqtedar Mehwish , Hoessli Daniel C. , Aftab Mahwish
Published: August 2024

Cancer is a leading concern and important cause of death worldwide. Cancer is a non-communicable illness defined as uncontrolled division of cells. It can develop into metastatic cancer when tumor cells migrate to other organs. In recent years evidence has emerged that the bioavailability of Asn play a crucial role in cancer metastasis. Asn is a non-essential amino acid formed from an ATP dependent catalyzed reaction by the enzyme asparagine synthetase (ASNS), where Asp and Gln are converted to Asn and Glu, respectively. The human ASNS enzyme consist of 561 amino acids, with a molecular weight of 64 KDa. ASNS governs the activation of transcriptional factors that regulate the process of metastasis. In this work the 3D model of ASNS in E. coli (AS-B) and the human ASNS docked with its different ligands have been used to study the 3D mechanism of the conversion of Asp and Gln to Asn and Glu, in human ASNS. The stability evaluation of the docked complexes was checked by molecular dynamic simulation through the bioinformatic tool Desmond. The binding residues and their interactions can be exploited for the development of inhibitors, as well as for finding new drug molecules against ASNS and prevention of metastatic cancer.
Nonlinear relationship of red blood cell indices (MCH, MCHC, and MCV) with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality: A cohort study in U.S. adults
Authors: Li Dan , Wang Aiting , Li Yeting , Ruan Zhishen , Zhao Hengyi , Li Jing , Zhang Qing , Wu Bo
Published: August 2024

Background

In recent years, increasing attention has been focused on the impact of red blood cell indices (RCIs) on disease prognosis. We aimed to investigate the association of mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) with mortality.

Methods

The study used cohort data from U.S. adults who participated in the 1999–2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. All-cause mortality was the primary outcome during follow-up, with secondary cardiovascular mortality outcomes. COX regression was applied to analyze the connection between RCIs and mortality. We adopted three models to minimize potential bias. Smooth-fit curves and threshold effect analyses were utilized to observe the dose-response relationship between RCIs and all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. In addition, we performed sensitivity analyses.

Results

21,203 individuals were enrolled in our research. During an average 166.2 ± 54.4 months follow-up, 24.4% of the population died. Curve fitting indicated a U-shaped relationship between MCV and MCH with all-cause mortality, and the relationship of MCHC to all-cause mortality is L-shaped. We identified inflection points in the relationship between MCV, MCH, and MCHC and all-cause mortality as 88.56732 fl, 30.22054 pg, 34.34624 g/dl (MCV <88.56732 fl, adjusted HR 0.99, 95 CI% 0.97–1.00; MCV >88.56732 fl, adjusted HR 1.05, 95 CI% 1.04–1.06. MCH <30.22054 pg, adjusted HR 0.95, 95 CI% 0.92–0.98; MCH >30.22054 pg, adjusted HR 1.08, 95 CI% 1.04–1.12. MCHC <34.34624 g/dl, adjusted HR 0.88, 95 CI% 0.83–0.93). Besides, the MCV curve was U-shaped in cardiovascular mortality (MCV <88.56732 fl, adjusted HR 0.97, 95 CI% 0.94–1.00; MCV >88.56732 fl, adjusted HR 1.04, 95 CI% 1.01–1.06).

Conclusion

This cohort study demonstrated that RCIs (MCH, MCHC, and MCV) were correlated with mortality in the general population. Three RCIs were nonlinearly correlated with all-cause mortality. In addition, there were nonlinear relationships between MCH and MCV and cardiovascular mortality.
Microalgae-based biofertilizer improves fruit yield and controls greenhouse gas emissions in a hawthorn orchard
Authors: Ma Fen , Li Yingchun , Han Xue , Li Kuo , Zhao Mingyue , Guo Liping , Li Shifeng , Wang Kangjie , Qin Kangxi , Duan Jian , Liu Yutong , Xu Yuxuan
Published: August 2024

Raising attentions have focused on how to alleviate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from orchard system while simultaneously increase fruit production. Microalgae-based biofertilizer represents a promising resource for improving soil fertility and higher productivity. However, the effects of microalgae application more especially live microalgae on GHG emissions are understudied. In this study, fruit yield and quality, GHG emissions, as well as soil organic carbon and nitrogen fractions were examined in a hawthorn orchard, under the effects of live microalgae-based biofertilizer applied at three doses and two modes. Compared with conventional fertilization, microalgae improved hawthorn yield by 15.7%−29.6% with a maximal increment at medium dose by root application, and significantly increased soluble and reducing sugars contents at high dose. While microalgae did not increase GHG emissions except for nitrous oxide at high dose by root application, instead it significantly increased methane uptake by 1.5−2.3 times in root application. In addition, microalgae showed an increasing trend in soil organic carbon content, and significantly increased the contents of soil dissolved organic carbon and microbial biomass carbon, as well as soil ammonium nitrogen and dissolved organic nitrogen at medium dose with root application. Overall, the results indicated that the live microalgae could be used as a green biofertilizer for improving fruit yield without increasing GHG emissions intensity and the comprehensive greenhouse effect, in particular at medium dose with root application. We presume that if lowering chemical fertilizer rates, application of the live microalgae-based biofertilizer may help to reduce nitrous oxide emissions without compromising fruit yield and quality.
Association between gingivitis, tooth loss and cardiovascular risk: Insights from a 10-year nationwide cohort study of 3.7 million Koreans
Authors: Lee Seung Yeon
Published: August 2024

Background

While studies have suggested an association between periodontal disease and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, the strength of this association and its specific links to various types of cardiovascular disease have not been thoroughly investigated. This study aimed to examine how gingivitis and tooth loss affect cardiovascular diseases, probing their individual impacts.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was conducted, encompassing 3,779,490 individuals with no history of cardiovascular disease, utilizing data from the National Health Examination and the Korean National Health Insurance database from 2006 to 2019. Cox proportional hazards models were applied to estimate the association between tooth loss, gingivitis, and cardiovascular disease.

Results

Following a median follow-up of 10.38 years, 17,942 new cardiovascular disease cases were identified, comprising 10,224 cases of angina pectoris, 6,182 cases of acute myocardial infarction, and 9,536 cases of stroke. It was observed that the risk of stroke was significantly higher in the tooth loss group compared to the control group (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]: 1.09, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.04–1.15). In the group with gingivitis and tooth loss, the risk of stroke and cardiovascular disease was significantly higher than in the control group (aHR: 1.12, 95% CI: 1.04–1.20; aHR: 1.08, 95% CI: 1.03–1.14). The gingivitis group exhibited a higher risk associated with stroke (aHR: 1.05, 95% CI: 1.01–1.10) among individuals aged 50 and above. However, statistically significant associations between periodontal disease and angina pectoris were not observed, nor between periodontal disease and acute myocardial infarction except among those aged above 50. Furthermore, the association between periodontal disease and cardiovascular disease was found to be stronger among individuals over the age of 50, males, those with obesity, and smokers compared to the control group.

Conclusions

Our results emphasize the association of tooth loss and gingivitis with cardiovascular disease, specifically stroke, underlining the critical need for preventive oral healthcare. Tailored interventions are necessary to reduce the heightened risk of cardiovascular disease events, especially stroke, among older, obese individuals and smokers.
Textile pedagogies: Stitching as reflective practice
Authors: Whitaker Pamela , Dillon Lorna , Silva Érika
Published: August 2024

The act of stitching women’s lives together within the context of a sewing circle is an opportunity to narrate life experiences on fabric and within a fabric of community. Stitching, and its association to mending, also has relevance within trauma recovery to both illustrate adversity and hope. This article features the artistry of arpilleras (stitched storytelling on cloth) produced by women’s textile collectives in Chile. Arpilleras have also featured in art therapy studio workshops, which showcase the history and practice of activism through autobiographical stitching. This vocabulary of textile art aligns interior and exterior terrains of knowledge and can also compose a distinct method of art therapy pedagogy. This is particularly relevant for contemporary art therapy practices addressing anti-colonial methodologies that illustrate a polyphony of voices.
Unveiling the global hijab discourse on Instagram: A multi-layered analysis of narratives, communities and sentiments
Authors: Feizollah Ali , Mostafa Mohamed M. , Mehdi Riyadh A. K. , Kinawy Ream N.
Published: August 2024

This article presents a comprehensive analysis of the global discourse on the hijab on Instagram, a key platform for cultural and fashion expressions. Employing a mixed-methods approach, it examines a dataset of 100,000 Instagram posts to explore representations and discussions of the hijab in online communities. The study includes temporal analysis of discourse evolution, text classification of narratives using advanced natural language processing (NLP) techniques like topic modelling and sentiment analysis, and network analysis of community interactions. Key findings reveal the multifaceted nature of the hijab discourse, encompassing themes of fashion, religion and community. The temporal analysis uncovers peaks in hijab-related posts from October 2021 onwards and between May and July 2022, coinciding with Islamic events and the rise of modest fashion. Sentiment analysis indicates a generally positive and neutral perception of the hijab, while emotion analysis highlights joy, anticipation and trust as dominant emotions. Text classification identifies five main topics: hijab styles and fashion, sizing and shipping, colours and product types, religion and spirituality, and product orders. Network analysis visualizes the interconnected nature of these themes and communities. The study makes original contributions by shedding light on the ‘hijabista’ phenomenon, representing Muslim women who blend fashion with modesty on Instagram, and by demonstrating Instagram’s role in shaping contemporary hijab discourse related to identity, empowerment and cultural representation. The findings enhance understanding of social media’s impact on cultural discourses and offer valuable insights into the social and cultural implications of these online narratives for scholars, businesses and policy-makers.
O Associativismo em Ciência e a sua expressão na Química
Authors: Redinha J. Simões
Published: August 2024

A Renascença italiana despertou no homem uma nova maneira de conhecer a natureza.
A Revolução Científica que operou ficou assinalada no século XIX por dois factos que a completaram: compartimentação da ciência em áreas de especialidade e participação empenhada da universidade na construção do edifício para o conhecimento. Nesta evolução assumiu ainda papel determinante o associativismo científico extra-universitário. Neste livro perspetiva-se este associativismo com particular enfoque na Química e nas instituições científicas portuguesas.
A brief description of the value term and some value tests, considering the pre-and post-millennium value orientation of Romanian and Hungarian youth
Authors: Pávai Jenő
Published: August 2024

As inherent in man, the evaluation process begins at the moment of our birth and accompanies us throughout our lives. The student’s value system is formed during socialisation under the influence of various factors. Family, education, and school have a fundamental role in shaping, preserving, and changing values. It is necessary to know the learner’s pre-existing values, what they represent in their behaviour, actions, and words. The student’s value system is reflected in their perception and way of life; it determines their relationship with the world, reflecting in their behavioural norms, activities, moral rules they follow, Etc. In the following, I undertake a short presentation of the research on Hungarian young people in Romania with the aim of preparing a kind of chronological, a thematic overview of the implemented research. I will briefly present a couple of value sociology studies; therefore, it is not new knowledge but a thematic presentation.
Navigating the Complexities of Caring for Children with Special Needs
Authors: Kothencz János
Published: August 2024

This study delves into the multifaceted challenges encountered by foster parents in Hungary who provide care for children with special needs. Drawing upon data from a comprehensive survey conducted among foster parents in 2022, the research illuminates the intricacies of providing adequate care and support for children with physical, mental, or behavioral disabilities within the context of the foster care system. The findings underscore the pressing need for enhanced financial assistance, improved access to specialist care, and strengthened collaboration between foster parents and professionals to safeguard the well-being and development of these vulnerable children. Through a sociological and philosophical lens, this study explores the broader implications of these challenges on the foster care system and society as a whole.
The development of the "generation rent" phenomenon in Hungary
Authors: Varga Áron
Published: August 2024

„Generation rent” is a relatively new phenomenon in terms of sociological interest. The expression first came to relevance in the United Kingdom in the 2010s, and it refers to the fact that the younger generation lives in rented accommodation to a much greater extent and for much longer than members of the previous generations. In this study I present the origin and the short history of the the scientific term „generation rent”. In addition, I will attempt to review and provide an interpretation of how and why „generation rent” as a phenomenon originally appeared in the United Kingdom, where it first became the focus of academic interest, and how does it relate to Hungary, where a very similar phenomenon started to appear in the recent years. In this paper I’m attempting to show the main mechanisms that can lead to the formation of ‚generation rent’ and how they differed from the United Kingdom in Hungary while still led to a very simmilar outcome.
Structured doctoral programmes for developing the scholar and the scholarship: Lessons from practice
Authors: Wilmot Kirstin
Published: August 2024

There are growing international calls for doctoral education to embrace more collaborative, structured supervision models. While the uptake of such models has been slow in South Africa, interesting forms of structured models are emerging. This study critically reflects on one such example, highlighting the successes and challenges to provide the field with practical insights of how such a model can be conceptualised. Focusing on a curriculated PhD project in the field of higher education studies, the paper explores the extent to which the project enhanced the development of the scholarship and scholarly dispositions in candidates. Inductive thematic analysis of interviews with 12 doctoral candidates was used in the first phase of analysis to reveal the salient issues in the data. The second phase of analysis drew on Legitimation Code Theory’s dimension of Specialization to understand the different kinds of learning afforded by the programme. The findings show how the curriculated programme provided an important bridge into disciplinary knowledge, and it reveals how the collaborative community played a critical role in strengthening students’ theoretical and disciplinary knowledge as well as cultivating key scholarly dispositions such as criticality, voice, and collaboration.
Mathematical meaning construction in language, tables, and images: The potential utility of language proficiency development in numeracy teaching
Authors: Clarke Jumani
Published: August 2024

Numeracy entails a facility for communicating mathematical knowledge in diverse contexts. Indeed, large scale standardised assessments have demonstrated that numeracy is associated with both mathematics and language proficiency. And yet, while research in mathematics education in schools has demonstrated the utility of taking a discursive view of mathematics, similar developments in higher education studies are scarce. Moreover, as teaching interventions in numeracy may lead to tensions between mathematical and disciplinary knowledge, the prospect of including language proficiency development is challenging. Taking a discursive multimodal view, this study reports on a pilot teaching intervention that introduced explicit language proficiency development into numeracy teaching activities at a prominent South African university. The study found that the participants produced coherent descriptions of statistics when mathematical concepts were related to vocabulary and grammar. These observations suggest that language proficiency development has the potential to realise the goal of teaching mathematical knowledge within disciplinary curricula.
The Impact of Story: One Preschool Program’s Experiences Using Story Cubes as a Culturally Relevant Oral Language Strategy.
Authors: Strong Laura , Amodei Michelle
Published: August 2024

Storytelling is a universal practice prevalent in many cultures. Research on language development indicates that storytelling strategies can be beneficial for supporting oral language development in young children (Kennedy, 2016).  Story cubes, used as reflective, culturally relevant instructional strategies, can be highly motivating because they encourage children’s personal, relevant contributions while addressing the language needs of Dual Language Learners. When acquiring a second language, these students face unique challenges in overall acquisition of literacy skills (Amodei & Strong, 2019). This article describes a study conducted at a trilingual preschool. Four preschool teachers and 60 PreK students ages 3-5 years participated in the study designed to explore the use of story cubes in their classrooms as a culturally responsive and reflective strategy. Accomplished through small and large group engagement with story cubes, researchers collected qualitative and quantitative data using observational field notes, Likert scale questionnaire responses and narrative interview transcript responses.
Efficacy and safety of conservative treatment in patients with neurologically intact thoracolumbar burst fractures: a meta-analysis
Authors: Grin A. A. , Karanadze V. A. , Kordonskiy A. Yu. , Talypov A. E. , Lvov I. S. , Abdrafiev R. I.
Published: August 2024

Objective. To conduct a meta-analysis of studies focused on the conservative treatment of thoracolumbar burst fractures, and to determine the efficacy and safety of this method in the observed group of patients.Material and Methods. The study was performed following PRISMA guidelines. Inclusion criteria for meta-analysis were as follows: availability of full-text version of the article in English or Russian; A3 or A4 type fractures according to the AOSpine classification, or burst fractures of types IIA, IIB or IIC according to the Denis classification, or a direct indication of the presence of a burst fracture without its classification; absence of neurological deficit; age over 18 years; detailed description of treatment outcomes or complications; and a follow-up for at least one year.Results. The meta-analysis included 29 articles describing the results of treatment of 1107 patients. At the time of admission, the following radiographic parameters were calculated for patients: mean kyphotic angle, 13.6 (95 % CI, 10.8–16.5), degree of vertebral body compression, 39.9 % (95 % CI, 27.7–52.0), and the degree of compression of the spinal canal lumen, 41.7 % (95 % CI, 29.2–54.2). A follow-up examination revealed a significant increase in segmental kyphosis by 3%, in vertebral body compression by 3.7 %, and lysis of bone fragments with a decrease in the degree of spinal canal stenosis by 2 times. The incidence of neurological deficit and progression of thoracic and lumbar spine instability was 5.8 % (95 % CI, 4.1–8.1) and 6.5 % (95 % CI, 4.5–9.3), respectively. Recovery of work ability according to Denis scale was as follows: W1 and W2 – 74.7 % (95 % CI, 63.9–83.1); W3 – 14.1 % (95 % CI, 10.2–19.3); and W4 and W5 – 14.8 % (95 % CI, 8.8–23.9).Conclusion. Conservative treatment of neurologically intact thoracolumbar burst fractures can be an effective and safe option if the angular deformity does not exceed 16 degrees and the anterior vertebral body compression rate is up to 52 %. With conservative therapy, a twofold reduction in spinal canal stenosis was observed due to the lysis of bone fragments. The pooled prevalence of radiculopathy or myelopathy with conservative therapy was 5.8 %. Orthopedic intervention due to the progression of instability of the damaged segment may be required in 6.5 % of patients. More than 90 % of patients returned to full-time work following conservative therapy. Comparative studieson the effectiveness of conservative therapy versus surgical treatment should be continued to form clear recommendations for the choice of treatment tactics for patients with uncomplicated fractures of the thoracic and lumbar spine.
A Cycloartane Triterpenoid and Steroid from The Leaves of Aglaia shawiana Merr. (Meliaceae)
Authors: Hutagaol Ricson Pemimpin , Mozef Tjandrawati , Fajriah Sofa , Primahana Gian , Prasetya Muhammad Eka , Yumna Miskah , Rangkuti Heriansyah
Published: August 2024

Natural products and their structural analogs are the main sources of pharmacotherapy. Various Aglaia species have been investigated since the 1960s for their phytochemical constituents and biological properties. This research focuses on isolating the terpenoid group from Aglaia shawiana, to provide a basis for further research to identify lead compounds for drug development. The hexane extract of Aglaia shawiana leaves was isolated using vacuum liquid chromatography and gravity column chromatography, employing solvents with varying polarities. The isolation process yielded two compounds: compound 1 and compound 2. A total of 15 mg of a pure isolate was obtained for compound 1, and 4.5 mg for compound 2. Their structures were characterized using 1D NMR (¹H, 13C, DEPT 135) and 2D NMR (HMQC, HMBC, 1H-1H COSY) and by comparing them with previously reported spectral data. It was concluded that compound 1 has the molecular formula C30H50O3, is a triterpenoid type cycloartane, and is named cycloartan-3β,29-diol-24-one, while compound 2 has the molecular formula C30H52O, is a steroid compound, and is named 23a-homostigmast-5en-3β-ol. These compounds were discovered for the first time in this species.
Comparison of the Lipoamide Synthesis by Direct Amidation and via Amidation of Fatty Acid Methyl Esters
Authors: Harahap Chiko , Wukirsari Tuti , Handayani Sri , PWS Sumi Hudiyono
Published: August 2024

In this research, the preparation of lipoamide through direct amidation of fatty acid and via amidation of fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) was compared. The reactivity of aromatic amines and cyclohexylamine for the synthesis of lipoamide was investigated in this research. The performance of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids was also compared. The synthesis of lipoamides via direct amidation was conducted under reflux using a Dean-Stark trap and silica gel as the catalyst. On the other hand, the amidation of FAME was carried out without catalysts and solvent. Both reactions were run simultaneously for 18 hours at the same temperature. The reaction was monitored using TLC, and then the product was purified using column chromatography and characterized using FTIR and 1H NMR. The TLC data, FTIR, and 1H NMR spectra confirmed that both reaction pathways produced the same lipoamide as the product. Both reaction pathways were compatible with aromatic and nonaromatic amines and saturated and unsaturated fatty acids. The reaction yield of lipoamide from direct amidation was around 70-80% and two-fold higher than lipoamide synthesis via amidation of FAME. Therefore, direct amidation of fatty acid was preferred for the synthesis of lipoamides compared to via amidation of FAME.
New extensions related to Fejér-type inequalities for GA-convex functions
Authors: Latif Muhammad Amer
Published: August 2024

In this study, some mappings related to the Fejér-type inequalities for

G
A

GA

-convex functions are defined over the interval

[

0
,
1

]

{[}0,1]

. Some Fejér-type inequalities for

G
A

GA

-convex functions are proved using these mappings. Properties of these mappings are considered and consequently we obtain refinements of some known results.
Matching ontologies with kernel principle component analysis and evolutionary algorithm
Authors: Xue Xingsi , Ye Miao , Nian Qifeng
Published: August 2024

Ontology serves as a structured knowledge representation that models domain-specific concepts, properties, and relationships. Ontology matching (OM) aims to identify similar entities across distinct ontologies, which is essential for enabling communication between them. At the heart of OM lies the similarity feature (SF), which measures the likeness of entities from different perspectives. Due to the intricate nature of entity diversity, no single SF can be universally effective in heterogeneous scenarios, which underscores the urgency to construct an SF with high discriminative power. However, the intricate interactions among SFs make the selection and combination of SFs an open challenge. To address this issue, this work proposes a novel kernel principle component analysis and evolutionary algorithm (EA) to automatically construct SF for OM. First, a two-stage framework is designed to optimize SF selection and combination, ensuring holistic SF construction. Second, a cosine similarity-driven kPCA is presented to capture intricate SF relationships, offering precise SF selection. Finally, to bolster the practical application of EA in the SF combination, a novel evaluation metric is developed to automatically guide the algorithm toward more reliable ontology alignments. In the experiment, our method is compared with the state-of-the-art OM methods in the Benchmark and Conference datasets provided by the ontology alignment evaluation initiative. The experimental results show its effectiveness in producing high-quality ontology alignments across various matching tasks, significantly outperforming the state-of-the-art matching methods.
Flat band fine-tuning and its photonic applications
Authors: Danieli Carlo , Andreanov Alexei , Leykam Daniel , Flach Sergej
Published: August 2024

Flat bands – single-particle energy bands – in tight-binding lattices, aka networks, have attracted attention due to the presence of macroscopic degeneracies and their sensitivity to perturbations. They support compact localized eigenstates protected by destructive interference. This makes them natural candidates for emerging exotic phases and unconventional orders. In this review we consider the recently proposed systematic ways to construct flat band networks based on symmetries or fine-tuning. We then discuss how the construction methods can be further extended, adapted or exploited in presence of perturbations, both single-particle and many-body. This strategy has lead to the discovery of non-perturbative metal-insulator transitions, fractal phases, nonlinear and quantum caging and many-body nonergodic quantum models. We discuss what implications these results may have for the design of fine-tuned nanophotonic systems including photonic crystals, nanocavities, and metasurfaces.
Enhanced vertical second harmonic generation from layered GaSe coupled to photonic crystal circular Bragg resonators
Authors: Liu Zhuojun , Chen Bo , Wang Xuying , Qiu Guixin , Cao Qitao , Wei Dunzhao , Liu Jin
Published: August 2024

Two-dimensional (2D) layered materials without centrosymmetry, such as GaSe, have emerged as promising novel optical materials due to large second-order nonlinear susceptibilities. However, their nonlinear responses are severely limited by the short interaction between the 2D materials and light, which should be improved by coupling them with photonic structures with strong field confinement. Here, we theoretically design photonic crystal circular Bragg gratings (CBG) based on hole gratings with a quality factor as high as Q = 8 × 103, a mode volume as small as V = 1.18 (λ/n)3, and vertical emission of light field in silicon nitride thin film platform. Experimentally, we achieved a Q value up to nearly 4 × 103, resulting in a 1,200-fold enhancement of second harmonic generation from GaSe flakes with a thickness of 50 nm coupling to the CBG structures under continuous-wave excitation. Our work endows silicon-based photonic platforms with significant second-order nonlinear effect, which is potentially applied in on-chip quantum light sources and nonlinear frequency conversion.
Paisagens do Sul: marcas do passado
Authors: Schwanz Angélica Kohls
Published: August 2024

Paisagens do Sul: marcas do passado