bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Shipment delivery challenges using unmanned aerial vehicles
Authors: Kosovac Amel , Šabić Muharem , Muharemović Ermin , Šimić Edvin
Published: May 2023

A UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) is an unmanned aerial vehicle or aircraft that can be monitored remotely or flown independently using a pre-programmed flight plan. Simply, a drone is a selfpropelled vehicle heavier than air. From their beginnings and first forms to modern drones as we know them today, people have discovered many areas for their application. As the power and carrying capacity of drones has grown, so does the possibility of using them for different purposes such as logistics and postal services. The main advantage of drones in urban areas is the independence from road infrastructure and fast delivery, but several challenges need to be addressed for this type of delivery to be competitive with other modes. Many projects have dealt with this topic, but none of them has widespread use to this day. In this paper, we will present the basic challenges that arise in the use of drones for shipment delivery. The paper will present activities that should be prioritized to make a competitive type of service. The paper will present also the advantages over other types of shipment delivery and the current limitation with a future possible research area.
Critical communication capacity
Authors: Šarac Dragana , Dragana Čačić , Jovanović Bojan
Published: May 2023

The need for the communication capacity (postal and telecommunications) increases daily during major incidents (pandemics and wars). The main aim of the paper is seeking an answer to the question “Was the structural and functional separation of telecommunications and the postal service necessary in the 20th century” The main elements of the network and service mergers in the future are also discussed in the paper.
Challenges of digital transport transformation in Europe
Authors: Ezgeta Drago , Čaušević Samir , Mehanović Mustafa
Published: May 2023

Digitization of transport requires the transformation of the transport system from a physical to a cybernetic physical system. Digitization of transport includes the application of information and communication technologies and artificial intelligence in the transport system. This leads to the transformation of transport processes, but also to a change in the behavior of users and their views on transport and transport services. This creates the conditions for the development of new services and new solutions in the transport system that enable more efficient, economical, safer and more environmentally friendly transport.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle in the Aviation System: An Overview of the Safety Risk Management Approaches
Authors: Tomić Lidija , Čokorilo Olja
Published: May 2023

The global transportation sector is faced with a great number of innovative solutions that are expected to make transportation more efficient, sustainable, and environmentally friendly. Such a solution is the Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) which are recognized as a leading innovation that simultaneously provides various business opportunities and luxury to humanity. However, this innovation brings high risk to the manned aviation industry, and also to third parties on the ground. As aviation is the most vulnerable industry, since UAVs and aircraft share the same airspace and therefore potentially catastrophic consequences if collisions occurred, it is important to learn how to manage those safety risks. The aim of this paper is to present an overview of the different approaches for safety risk management for threats that arise from UAVs operations in the aviation system, and to discuss included steps, methods, and associated challenges. Some of the methods are proposed through examples for which purpose they are adequate. The paper concludes by highlighting current advanced approaches in the analyzed field, developed by aviation regulatory organizations.
Ökoteológia a „web of science” által referált tudományos publikációk tükrében
Authors: Mics Ferenc , Hufnagel Levente
Published: May 2023

Jelen tanulmányunkban azt a cél tűztük ki, hogy képet adjunk arról, hogy az ökoteológia interdiszciplináris tudományterületének eredményeiből mennyi és mi ismerhető meg jelenleg a Web of Science (WoS) adatbázis alapján. Adataink alapján jól látható, hogy a WoS milyen erős szelekciós kritériumot jelent, hiszen tízezer feletti (interneten megtalálható, ilyen kulcsszóval kereshető) tudományos műből mindössze 166 szerepel benne. Alaptudományként az ökoteológia – a humánökológiát is beleértve – ökológiai jelenségeket teológiai megközelítések segítségével vizsgáló interdiszciplináris tudomány, azaz az ökológia része. Másrészt viszont (a hit tartalmában tükröződő) transzcendens valóságot az ökológiai rendszerek szituációjában értelmező (a teológia körébe tartozó) interdiszciplináris tudomány, ezért a két terület szakértőinek együttműködésére van szükség.
Jicchák Luria és körének útjai az istenhez
Authors: Vág András
Published: May 2023

Ez az írás az első része annak a kétrészes tanulmánynak, ami a zsidó misztika legismertebb alakjának, Jicchák Luriának, Cfátban folytatott tevékenységeit foglalja össze. Ebben az első részben a szerző betekintést nyújt – vallási vezetőként, a kabbala innovatív formálójaként és tanítójaként, valamint a helyi zsidó közösség tagjaként betöltött – különféle szerepeibe. Ennek során bemutat néhány részletet abból, hogy mit csinált, hogyan töltötte idejét cfáti évei alatt. A tanulmány nyomon követi az – általa megújított, majd a cfáti kabbalistákkal megismertetett – legfontosabb rituálék és vallási szokások céljait és üzeneteit is, melyeket nem csak elterjesztett, hanem vezette és gyakorolta is azokat.
Jewish population of Budapest in 1941 and 1945
Authors: Nagy Péter Tibor
Published: May 2023

One of the most important issues in the debate about the Holocaust is whether it is a historical or non-historical tragedy. Unexpected natural disasters, such as earthquakes and meteor strikes, are events outside human history - an important common feature is that their survival is only slightly related to people's social position. The more analogous the Holocaust is to this, the more extra-historical the Holocaust is. An important socio-historical feature of historically integrated ethnical, religious, class –based persecutions, on the other hand, is that people become less victims than other members of the persecuted group because of their wealth or their capital of connections with the persecutors, connections to the non-persecuted groups. Comparing the Jewish population of 1941 with the Jewish population of 1945 - based on specific housing registers - the study clearly concludes that the Budapest Holocaust is embedded in history: those with non-Jewish family members, the wealthier and those in occupations where the likelihood of being acquainted with the public sector and Christian colleagues is higher are much more likely to survive. This also implies that more active participation by non-Jews could have increased the number of survivors to a statistically significant extent.
Uncertainty, career decision factors and the well-being of career practitioners in Hungary
Authors: Borbély-Pecze Tibor Bors
Published: May 2023

The coronavirus, the Ukrainian-Russian war, the Brexit, the green transition and the rise of inflation are all macro processes that individuals and families cannot influence on their own, but these macro trends do influence their life course. This review looks at the practice of career guidance in Hungary. It shows the methods that can be used to strengthen the career resilience of individuals and small communities and how individual psychological and pedagogical outcomes of career counselling, literature review, Hungary these have been researched in Hungary over the past decade.
Access, Equity, and Inclusion In India’s Higher Education Sector amidst The Covid-19 Pandemic
Authors:   Department of Education, West Bengal State University, Acharya Shnaoli Chakraborty
Published: May 2023

As the world experienced the outbreak of COVID-19, the education system encountered a sudden shutdown. The reconfiguration of the higher education system was evident in global institutions due to the sudden impact of the pandemic resulting in the unprecedented shutdown of face-to-face teaching. The limited opportunities for a group of learners were now further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, higher education institutions could frame their strategies to address issues of equity within the “capability approach” (Sen, 2015). This research proceeded using a qualitative approach adopting a critical ethnographical study based on the content analysis of the two data sources comprising of unstructured interviews separately with academic leaders, a group of teachers, and a group of students from each of the five higher education institutions of West Bengal. Three broad areas were identified to understand the actual situation prevailing in the institutions. These include- i) Knowledge development of socially and economically disadvantaged learners through online teaching, ii) Evolving capabilities for learners with disabilities to make reflexive choices in learning, and iii) Evaluation of meeting racial equity goals to confirm individual autonomy of marginalized learners. The study highlighted the salient premises that higher education could follow through the ideology of the Capability Approach, to deal with the issues of equity, as it considers the contingent circumstances of learners, and not merely their societal background. The research findings could serve as a structural framework as it considers the opportunities along with the invisible hindrances that learners come across during the pandemic closure.
The Advanced Practitioner’s Role in the Rapidly Evolving Landscape of Precision Medicine
Authors: C. Moore, PharmD, BCPS, BCOP, DPLA, FCCP Donald , S. Guinigundo, MSN, RN, CNP, ANP-BC Andrew
Published: May 2023

The advent of precision medicine targeting oncogenic mutations and other alterations has led to a paradigm shift in the treatment of many solid tumors and hematologic malignancies. For many of these agents, predictive biomarker testing is necessary to determine the presence of such alterations in order to select patients who are most likely to respond, and to avoid the use of ineffective and potentially harmful alternative therapy. Recent technological advances such as next-generation sequencing have facilitated the identification of targetable biomarkers in patients with cancer and thus help inform treatment decisions. Moreover, new molecular-guided therapies and associated predictive biomarkers continue to be discovered. For some cancer therapeutics, regulatory approval requires the use of a companion diagnostic to ensure proper patient selection. Advanced practitioners therefore need to be aware of current biomarker testing guidelines regarding who should be tested, how and when to test, and how these results can guide treatment decisions using molecular-based therapies. They should also recognize and address potential barriers and disparities in biomarker testing to ensure equitable care for all patients, and assist in educating patients and colleagues alike on the importance of testing and integration into clinical practice to enhance outcomes.
Medical Aid in Dying: Ethical and Practical Issues
Authors: Treem, MD Jonathan
Published: May 2023

At JADPRO Live 2022, Jonathan Treem, MD, of the University of Colorado Palliative Care, explained medical aid in dying in order to prepare advanced practitioners to feel confident to counsel a patient who inquiries about aid in dying. He explained the law and protocol for participation, the history, ethics, and data behind the intervention, and steps for what is required. Finally, Dr. Treem discussed ethical considerations that may arise as patients and clinicians consider these types of interventions.
NIST Research Data Framework (RDaF)
Authors: Hanisch Robert J , Kaiser Debra L , Yuan Alda , Medina-Smith Andrea , Carroll Bonnie C , Campo Eva M
Published: May 2023

The NIST Research Data Framework (RDaF) is a multifaceted and
customizable tool that aims to help shape the future of open data access and
research data management (RDM). The RDaF will allow organizations and
individual researchers to customize an RDM strategy. Although NIST is
leading the RDaF, most of the content in the current v.1.5 was obtained via
engagement with national and international leaders in the research data
community. NIST held a series of three plenary and 15 stakeholder workshops.
Workshop attendees represented all stakeholder sectors, from government and
academia to industry and non-profits. The audience for the RDaF is the
entire research data community in all disciplines-the biological, chemical,
medical, social, and physical sciences. The RDaF is applicable from the
organization to the project level, encompassing a wide array of job roles
engaged in activities concerned with research data management, from
Executives and Chief Data Officers to publishers, funders, and researchers.
The RDaF is a map of the research data space that uses a lifecycle approach
with six high-level lifecycle stages to organize key information concerning
RDM and research data dissemination. Through a community-driven and in-depth
process, NIST identified specific, high-priority topics and subtopics for
each lifecycle stage. The topics and subtopics are programmatic and
operational activities, concepts, and other important factors relevant to
RDM. All elements of the RDaF Framework Core-lifecycle stages and their
associated topics and subtopics-are defined and explained. Further, the RDaF
team identified Overarching Themes which are pervasive throughout the
framework core. The core enables organizations and individual researchers to
use the RDaF for self-assessment of their RDM status. In addition, each
subtopic has several Informative References-resources such as guidelines
standards, and policies. As such, the RDaF may be considered a "best
practices" document. The RDaF includes sample "Profiles," for various job
functions or roles. Each of these profiles contains topics and subtopics
that an individual in the given job function or role needs to consider in
fulfilling their RDM responsibilities. Individual researchers and
organizations involved in the research data lifecycle will be able to tailor
these profiles for their specific job function. The methodologies used to
generate the content of this publication are described in detail.
Ways of Seeing Wholes: Systemic Problem Structuring Methods for the Uninitiated
Authors:   , Charlton Michael
Published: May 2023

Softer forms of systems thinking and Soft-OR (Operational Research) provide the theory, the methodology and the methods by which managers can see the situations they are trying to manage as wholes. They facilitate what has become known as “bigger picture” thinking and are widely acknowledged as effective ways to manage complexity. But despite nearly 50 years of development, the extent to which these ideas have penetrated mainstream management thinking and practice is very limited. Existing research suggests that adoption of systemic problem structuring methods (systemic PSMs) is frustrated by a number of factors. But questions about the take-up of systemic PSMs remain under-theorised. This thesis aims to deepen our understanding of how managers receive and take-up, and sometimes repudiate, systemic PSMs. It uses a qualitative multiple case study design to report findings from four interventions using systemic PSMs in four organisations (two from the UK and two from Romania). The findings are interpreted through the lens of Luhmann’s complex social systems theory. Applications of softer forms of systems thinking are better received and are more likely to be taken-up in situations where an existing organisational decision premise is contested and no longer functions as a stable reference point for future decisions. In these circumstances, managers show greater curiosity in systemic PSMs and are more willing to adopt them to generate new “ways of seeing”. However, they also present managers with a paradox. Used as a means to explore an organisation’s future, and as a means of deciding what that future could be, managers are more reluctant to perform “bigger picture” analyses if the product of such thinking is perceived to over-specify plans for the future; plans which might well turn out to be ill-adapted to a “future” that is fundamentally unknown. This changes the way we think about interventions using systemic PSMs and leads to a theory that produces a more nuanced understanding of the circumstances in which they might be needed and effectively deployed. Existing theory tends to focus on ideal-type problem contexts. But the near-manifestation of such contexts in actual practice does not automatically guarantee that systems-inquiring methods will be taken-up, for existing theory underplays the inherent decision logic of the organisation in which the intervention takes place and underestimates the organisation’s ability to create its own “secondary complexity”. Systemic PSMs are more likely to be in demand when existing “ways of seeing” have been exhausted.
Et si l’humanité dérivant du champ juridique de l’incrimination des « atteintes contre la paix et la sécurité de l’humanité » suffisait pour structurer la répression de l’écocide ?
Authors: Tshiamala Banungana Christian
Published: May 2023

S’inscrivant dans une approche pragmatique, cette réflexion entend s’appuyer sur le pouvoir interprétatif du juge pour résorber les limites qu’accuse la criminalisation du Statut de Rome au regard de graves atteintes écologiques perpétrées en temps de paix. En attendant l’avènement d’une incrimination autonome d’écocide, la Cour pénale internationale peut ainsi appréhender cette criminalité écologique partant de ces possibilités interprétatives. Cette perspective permet d’asseoir, à l’instar des crimes de guerre écologiques, l’essence criminogène de ces atteintes écologiques au titre des crimes contre l’humanité et de génocide. Il en résulte dès lors que le champ matériel de la CPI permet de saisir la portée criminogène des comportements gravement attentatoires à l’environnement perpétrés aussi bien en temps de paix qu’en temps de guerre.
Precise temporal control of neuroblast migration through combined regulation and feedback of a Wnt receptor
Authors: Schild Erik S , Gupta Shivam , Dubois Clément , Fernandes Póvoa Euclides E , Félix Marie-Anne , Mugler Andrew , Korswagen Hendrik C
Published: May 2023

Many developmental processes depend on precise temporal control of gene expression. We have previously established a theoretical framework for regulatory strategies that can govern such high temporal precision, but experimental validation of these predictions was still lacking. Here, we use the time-dependent expression of a Wnt receptor that controls neuroblast migration in Caenorhabditis elegans as a tractable system to study a robust, cell-intrinsic timing mechanism in vivo. Single-molecule mRNA quantification showed that the expression of the receptor increases non-linearly, a dynamic that is predicted to enhance timing precision over an unregulated, linear increase in timekeeper abundance. We show that this upregulation depends on transcriptional activation, providing in vivo evidence for a model in which the timing of receptor expression is regulated through an accumulating activator that triggers expression when a specific threshold is reached. This timing mechanism acts across a cell division that occurs in the neuroblast lineage and is influenced by the asymmetry of the division. Finally, we show that positive feedback of receptor expression through the canonical Wnt pathway enhances temporal precision. We conclude that robust cell-intrinsic timing can be achieved by combining regulation and feedback of the timekeeper gene.
Mating activates neuroendocrine pathways signaling hunger in Drosophila females
Authors: Laturney Meghan , Sterne Gabriella R , Scott Kristin
Published: May 2023

Mated females reallocate resources to offspring production, causing changes to nutritional requirements and challenges to energy homeostasis. Although observed across species, the neural and endocrine mechanisms that regulate the nutritional needs of mated females are not well understood. Here, we find that mated Drosophila melanogaster females increase sugar intake, which is regulated by the activity of sexually dimorphic insulin receptor (Lgr3) neurons. In virgins, Lgr3+ cells have reduced activity as they receive inhibitory input from active, female-specific pCd-2 cells, restricting sugar intake. During copulation, males deposit sex peptide into the female reproductive tract, which silences a three-tier mating status circuit and initiates the female postmating response. We show that pCd-2 neurons also become silenced after mating due to the direct synaptic input from the mating status circuit. Thus, in mated females pCd-2 inhibition is attenuated, activating downstream Lgr3+ neurons and promoting sugar intake. Together, this circuit transforms the mated signal into a long-term hunger signal. Our results demonstrate that the mating circuit alters nutrient sensing centers to increase feeding in mated females, providing a mechanism to increase intake in anticipation of the energetic costs associated with reproduction.
Substrate evaporation drives collective construction in termites
Authors: Facchini Giulio , Rathery Alann , Douady Stéphane , Sillam-Dussès David , Perna Andrea
Published: May 2023

Termites build complex nests which are an impressive example of self-organization. We know that the coordinated actions involved in the construction of these nests by multiple individuals are primarily mediated by signals and cues embedded in the structure of the nest itself. However, to date there is still no scientific consensus about the nature of the stimuli that guide termite construction, and how they are sensed by termites. In order to address these questions, we studied the early building behavior of Coptotermes gestroi termites in artificial arenas, decorated with topographic cues to stimulate construction. Pellet collections were evenly distributed across the experimental setup, compatible with a collection mechanism that is not affected by local topography, but only by the distribution of termite occupancy (termites pick pellets at the positions where they are). Conversely, pellet depositions were concentrated at locations of high surface curvature and at the boundaries between different types of substrate. The single feature shared by all pellet deposition regions was that they correspond to local maxima in the evaporation flux. We can show analytically and we confirm experimentally that evaporation flux is directly proportional to the local curvature of nest surfaces. Taken together, our results indicate that surface curvature is sufficient to organize termite building activity and that termites likely sense curvature indirectly through substrate evaporation. Our findings reconcile the apparently discordant results of previous studies.
Independent regulation of Z-lines and M-lines during sarcomere assembly in cardiac myocytes revealed by the automatic image analysis software sarcApp
Authors: Neininger-Castro Abigail C , Hayes James B , Sanchez Zachary C , Taneja Nilay , Fenix Aidan M , Moparthi Satish , Vassilopoulos Stéphane , Burnette Dylan Tyler
Published: May 2023

Sarcomeres are the basic contractile units within cardiac myocytes, and the collective shortening of sarcomeres aligned along myofibrils generates the force driving the heartbeat. The alignment of the individual sarcomeres is important for proper force generation, and misaligned sarcomeres are associated with diseases, including cardiomyopathies and COVID-19. The actin bundling protein, α-actinin-2, localizes to the ‘Z-Bodies” of sarcomere precursors and the ‘Z-Lines’ of sarcomeres, and has been used previously to assess sarcomere assembly and maintenance. Previous measurements of α-actinin-2 organization have been largely accomplished manually, which is time-consuming and has hampered research progress. Here, we introduce sarcApp, an image analysis tool that quantifies several components of the cardiac sarcomere and their alignment in muscle cells and tissue. We first developed sarcApp to utilize deep learning-based segmentation and real space quantification to measure α-actinin-2 structures and determine the organization of both precursors and sarcomeres/myofibrils. We then expanded sarcApp to analyze ‘M-Lines’ using the localization of myomesin and a protein that connects the Z-Lines to the M-Line (titin). sarcApp produces 33 distinct measurements per cell and 24 per myofibril that allow for precise quantification of changes in sarcomeres, myofibrils, and their precursors. We validated this system with perturbations to sarcomere assembly. We found perturbations that affected Z-Lines and M-Lines differently, suggesting that they may be regulated independently during sarcomere assembly.
Extreme positive epistasis for fitness in monosomic yeast strains
Authors: Tutaj Hanna , Tomala Katarzyna , Pirog Adrian , Marszałek Marzena , Korona Ryszard
Published: May 2023

The loss of a single chromosome in a diploid organism halves the dosage of many genes and is usually accompanied by a substantial decrease in fitness. We asked whether this decrease simply reflects the joint damage caused by individual gene dosage deficiencies. We measured the fitness effects of single heterozygous gene deletions in yeast and combined them for each chromosome. This predicted a negative growth rate, that is, lethality, for multiple monosomies. However, monosomic strains remained alive and grew as if much (often most) of the damage caused by single mutations had disappeared, revealing an exceptionally large and positive epistatic component of fitness. We looked for functional explanations by analyzing the transcriptomes. There was no evidence of increased (compensatory) gene expression on the monosomic chromosomes. Nor were there signs of the cellular stress response that would be expected if monosomy led to protein destabilization and thus cytotoxicity. Instead, all monosomic strains showed extensive upregulation of genes encoding ribosomal proteins, but in an indiscriminate manner that did not correspond to their altered dosage. This response did not restore the stoichiometry required for efficient biosynthesis, which probably became growth limiting, making all other mutation-induced metabolic defects much less important. In general, the modular structure of the cell leads to an effective fragmentation of the total mutational load. Defects outside the module(s) currently defining fitness lose at least some of their relevance, producing the epiphenomenon of positive interactions between individually negative effects.
Functional and comparative analysis of THI1 gene in grasses with a focus on sugarcane
Authors: Moura Dias Henrique , Vieira Andreia Prata , de Jesus Erika Maria , de Setta Nathalia , Barros Gesiele , Van Sluys Marie-Anne
Published: May 2023

De novo synthesis of thiamine (vitamin B1) in plants depends on the action of thiamine thiazole synthase, which synthesizes the thiazole ring, and is encoded by the THI1 gene. Here, we investigated the evolution and diversity of THI1 in Poaceae, where C4 and C3 photosynthetic plants co-evolved. An ancestral duplication of THI1 is observed in Panicoideae that remains in many modern monocots, including sugarcane. In addition to the two sugarcane copies (ScTHI1-1 and ScTHI1-2), we identified ScTHI1-2 alleles showing differences in their sequence, indicating divergence between ScTHI1-2a and ScTHI1-2b. Such variations are observed only in the Saccharum complex, corroborating the phylogeny. At least five THI1 genomic environments were found in Poaceae, two in sugarcane, M. sinensis, and S. bicolor. The THI1 promoter in Poaceae is highly conserved at 300 bp upstream of the start codon ATG and has cis-regulatory elements that putatively bind to transcription factors associated with development, growth, development and biological rhythms. An experiment set to compare gene expression levels in different tissues across the sugarcane R570 life cycle showed that ScTHI1-1 was expressed mainly in leaves regardless of age. Furthermore, ScTHI1 displayed relatively high expression levels in meristem and culm, which varied with the plant age. Finally, yeast complementation studies with THI4-defective strain demonstrate that only ScTHI1-1 and ScTHI1-2b isoforms can partially restore thiamine auxotrophy, albeit at a low frequency. Taken together, the present work supports the existence of multiple origins of THI1 harboring genomic regions in Poaceae with predicted functional redundancy. In addition, it questions the contribution of the levels of the thiazole ring in C4 photosynthetic plant tissues or potentially the relevance of the THI1 protein activity.
MRI Evaluation of Cervical Spondylotic Canal Stenosis and Change in its Severity on Flexion and Extension Positioning: A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Kini Divya Vishwanatha , Kapilamoorthy TR , Hiremath Rudresh , Chandrappa Anupama , Shetty Sachin P , Gurumurthy Balasubramanian
Published: May 2023

Introduction: Cervical spondylosis is a degenerative disorder of the cervical spine and has varied pathological forms of presentation. It presents as either varying degrees of intervertebral disc bulge, spinal cord compression, altered cord signals, neural exit foraminal stenosis, annular tears, facet joint degeneration and ligamentum flavum hypertrophy in combination or isolation. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) being known for its excellent soft tissue resolution helps assess and grade these pathologies efficiently. Aim: To evaluate the flexion-extension MRI in regular cervical spondylosis imaging by assessing the effect of flexion and extension positioning on the severity of cervical spondylotic canal stenosis and spinal canal dimensions. Also, to compare the change in cervical canal dimensions on flexion and extension with that of neutral positioning. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Radiodiagnosis, JSS Medical College, Mysuru, Karnataka, India, from January 2021-June 2022. A total of 50 participants, aged above 18 years with a clinical suspicion of cervical spondylosis and without history of trauma, tumour, infection, prior cervical surgery and with Nurick grade <3 were included in the present study. In all the subjects, spinal canal dimension, degree of stenosis was assessed and graded, further assessment for presence of foraminal stenosis, ligamentum flavum hypertrophy and facetal arthropathy were also documented. Data were statistically analysed using Chi-square test and Mc Nemer’s test. Results: Out of total 50 cases, 26 (52%) were males and the rest were females with mean age of 46 years. Least cervical canal space dimension of 0.4 cm at C6-7 level in the neutral position and at C3-4, C5-6 and C6-7 levels in extension were noted thus, proving the importance of extension positioning in recognising maximum levels and severity of involvement. Narrowest diameter was demonstrated on flexion and extension. Additionally, the elderly was seen more affected by central disc bulge, foraminal stenosis, facetal arthropathy and ligamentum flavum hypertrophy as compared to the middle aged and the younger patients, more so in extension (12%). Conclusion: Disc bulge and grade of stenosis vary extensively and are more conspicuous on additional flexion and extension imaging. Severity of the grade of stenosis and demonstration of maximum number of levels involved on extension as compared to flexion or neutral positioning thereby, benefitting clinical management plan.
Effect of Addition of Magnesium Sulphate to Fentanyl and Hyperbaric Bupivacaine in Spinal Anaesthesia for Abdominal Hysterectomy: A Randomised Clinical Study
Authors: Pooja MN , Prathibha KT
Published: May 2023

Introduction: Subarachnoid block is the most acceptable and popular mode of anaesthesia for gynaecological surgeries. Addition of opioids to intrathecal bupivacaine is routinely practised. Magnesium sulphate (MgSo4 ), when used intrathecally has an advantage in preventing central sensitisation to peripheral nociceptive pain because it is an N-Methyl-DAspartate Receptor (NMDA) antagonist. Aim: To find out the efficacy of MgSO4 as intrathecal additive to combination of fentanyl and hyperbaric bupivacaine in prolonging duration of analgesia. Materials and Methods: This randomised clinical study was done between June 2022 to November 2022 in women of American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) grade I and II aged 50 to 70 years scheduled for abdominal hysterectomy under spinal anaesthesia. They were randomly divided into two groups of 30 each (group ‘S’ and group ‘M’). Group ‘S’ received spinal anaesthesia with 3 mL (15 mg) of hyperbaric bupivacaine, 0.5 mL (25 µg) of Fentanyl and 0.1 mL of 0.9% normal saline while group ‘M’ received 3 mL of hyperbaric bupivacaine, 0.5 mL (25 µg) of Fentanyl and 0.1 mL (50 mg) of 50% MgSO4 intrathecally. End points of observation were time for onset of sensory and motor block and duration of analgesia. Data was entered in Microsoft Excel using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25.0. Results: Demographic profile was comparable between both the groups. Delay in onset of sensory block was observed in group ‘M’ (9±0.68 minutes) compared to group ‘S’ (4.88±0.47 minutes) (p<0.001). Similarly, onset of motor blockade too was delayed in group ‘M’ (11.92±0.71 minutes) compared to group ‘S’ (6.83±0.65 minutes) (p<0.001). Postoperative analgesia was significantly prolonged in group ‘M’ (262±8.3 minutes) compared to group ‘S’ (235±12.3 minutes) with a p-value of <0.001. Haemodynamic profile and side-effects showed no significant difference between both the groups. Conclusion: Addition of MgSO4 (50 mg) to combination of fentanyl and hyperbaric bupivacaine when given intrathecally prolongs the duration of spinal analgesia significantly in patients undergoing abdominal hysterectomy without significant side-effects.
Surveying Reasons for Not Taking Annual Vacation Leave by State Teachers in Selected Primary Schools in Lusaka District, Zambia
Authors: Mukalula-Kalumbi Mwansa , Clifford Kabunda Chola
Published: May 2023

The study surveyed the reasons for not taking annual vacation leave by government primary teachers. This study employed qualitative and quantitative research strategies. Random sampling was used to draw samples of participants. A total of ninety-four participants took part in this study. Out of ninety-four, ten were head teachers and eighty-four were teachers. Data was collected using questionnaires for teachers and interview guides were employed to interview head teachers. The interviews were aided by the use of field notes and smart phone recorder. Data was analyzed using both qualitative and quantitative methods of analyzing data. The study revealed that the reasons teachers don’t take annual vacation leave was because of teacher’s lack of knowledge about terms and conditions of service on annual vacation leave. The role of school administration on teacher’s perception about annual vacation leave was mostly on giving enough and accurate information to teachers relating to annual vacation leave. Head teachers, standard officers, in-service training, teacher union haven’t been helpful in giving adequate information to teachers about annual vacation leave, hence teachers found it difficult to take vacation leave regularly. The teachers also individually were unable to read literature on leave in general, hence developing poor perception about taking annual vacation leave. Other findings revealed that the benefits of taking vacation leave by primary teachers were in two folds. The first one was the benefits to administrators and teachers when teachers took vacation leaves. The second one was the benefits to administrators and teachers when administrators took annual vacation leave regularly. Based on the findings, it was recommended that head teachers, teacher unions, school in-service training and standard officers should give teachers enough and accurate information about annual vacation leave. In addition, head teachers should stop managing DEBS in relation to vacation leave, hence, the DEBS should take to task every head teacher who don’t submit teacher vacation leave forms for approval.
Research on Equation \(\varphi\) (x)+2 = \(\varphi\) (x+2)
Authors: Yize Huang , Zhongyan Shen
Published: May 2023

In this paper, we use the properties of Euler’s function, elementary methods and the idea of classification discussion to study the solvability of equation \(\varphi\) (x)+2 = \(\varphi\) (x+2)
The Impact of Accounting Disclosure through Social Media on Reducing Information Gap: A Field Study in Companies on the Iraqi Stock Exchange
Authors: Alwajid Ali Fakhir Kadhim
Published: May 2023

The study aimed to investigate the impact of accounting disclosure through social media on reducing the information gap between investors. The study adopted a descriptive-analytical approach, and the population of the study consisted of 47 companies listed on the Iraqi stock exchange. The study sample consisted of 161 employees working in these companies. The study found that accounting disclosure through social media is important and plays a role in reducing the information gap for users. The field study showed that there is a significant relationship between accounting disclosure through social media and the reduction of the information gap in the Iraqi stock market. The study recommended the disclosure of future expectations regarding opportunities or risks resulting from positive or negative trends in financial and market performance indicators through social media platforms. This is important in providing stakeholders with clearer and more impactful information than that provided through mandatory disclosure. The study also recommended improving the credibility of financial reports in line with market expectations, especially when negative predictions arise regarding the companys future performance.
The After
Authors: Frank Jennifer
Published: May 2023

In this narrative medicine essay, a family physician marks the moments of dread, fear, trauma, joy, and relief that began the day she was diagnosed with breast cancer to the more than 10 years of survival.
Shifting Epidemiology and Severity of Respiratory Syncytial Virus in Children During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Rao Suchitra , Armistead Isaac , Messacar Kevin , Alden Nisha B. , Schmoll Emma , Austin Elizabeth , Dominguez Samuel R.
Published: May 2023

This cohort study examined changes in RSV age distribution and disease severity in Colorado children after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dual VEGFA/BRAF targeting boosts PD‐1 blockade in melanoma through GM‐CSF‐mediated infiltration of M1 macrophages
Authors: Comunanza Valentina , Gigliotti Chiara , Lamba Simona , Doronzo Gabriella , Vallariello Edoardo , Martin Valentina , Isella Claudio , Medico Enzo , Bardelli Alberto , Sangiolo Dario , Di Nicolantonio Federica , Bussolino Federico
Published: May 2023

The introduction of targeted therapies represented one of the most significant advances in the treatment of BRAFV600E melanoma. However, the onset of acquired resistance remains a challenge. Previously, we showed in mouse xenografts that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGFA) removal enhanced the antitumor effect of BRAF inhibition through the recruitment of M1 macrophages. In this work, we explored the strategy of VEGFA/BRAF inhibition in immunocompetent melanoma murine models. In BRAF mutant D4M melanoma tumors, VEGFA/BRAF targeting reshaped the tumor microenvironment, largely by stimulating infiltration of M1 macrophages and CD8+ T cells, and sensitized tumors to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB). Furthermore, we reported that the association of VEGFA/BRAF targeting with anti‐PD‐1 antibody (triple therapy) resulted in a durable response and enabled complete tumor eradication in 50% of the mice, establishing immunological memory. Neutralization and CRISPR‐Cas‐mediated editing of granulocyte‐macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (GM‐CSF) abrogated antitumor response prompted by triple therapy and identified GM‐CSF as the cytokine instrumental in M1‐macrophage recruitment. Our data suggest that VEGFA/BRAF targeting in melanoma induces the activation of innate and adaptive immunity and prepares tumors for ICB. Our study contributes to understanding the tumor biology of BRAFV600E melanoma and suggests VEGFA as therapeutic target.
Fabrication of Glass‐Ceramic 3D Micro‐Optics by Combining Laser Lithography and Calcination
Authors: Balčas Giedrius , Malinauskas Mangirdas , Farsari Maria , Juodkazis Saulius
Published: May 2023

This perspective is an overview of a recent direction in optical 3D printing, where polymerization of crosslinkable materials and nanomaterial fillers can be guided to the final structures and new composites via high temperature annealing (HTA). Defining 3D nano/micro‐structures by ultrafast laser direct writing and tailoring their precursor composition with subsequent tunability of the final properties during 750–1500 °C HTA step takes place at the large surface‐to‐volume ratio conditions favoring efficient pyrolysis and calcination, which are required for exchange of chemical materials/gases between glass/ceramic phase and surrounding. Previously, unexplored inorganic material formation conditions in terms of fast thermal quenching, composition mixing and surface tension guided formation can be harnessed by glass making for creation of new materials endowed with preferable technical properties. An immediate application perspective for a high durability, integrated, and active 3D micro‐optics is foreseen.
Biodegradable Shape‐Memory Ionogels as Green and Adaptive Wearable Electronics Toward Physical Rehabilitation
Authors: Wu Shanshan , Huang Jinhui , Jing Shirong , Xie Hui , Zhou Shaobing
Published: May 2023

Rehabilitation is necessary for the recovery of patients with paralysis caused by stroke and muscle atrophy. Wearable electronics can provide feedback on physical training and facilitate healthcare. However, most existing wearable electronics are difficult to maintain a conformal skin‐device interface. Additionally, the use of non‐degradable electronic materials is associated with environmental risks. Herein, ionogels with biodegradation and shape‐memory properties as eco‐friendly and geometry‐adaptive wearable electronics for rehabilitation are proposed. The biodegradation is enabled by incorporating polycaprolactone segments into the ionogel matrix. Moreover, the ionogel‐based wearable electronics can be conformal to certain joints by shape programming, and provide stable and reproducible real‐time signals reflecting joint movements during long‐term rehabilitation training assisted by a robotic glove, facilitating carers to assess rehabilitation efficacy and choose an appropriate scheme. This study demonstrates the potential of biodegradable shape‐memory ionogels as green and adaptive wearable electronics for robot‐assisted rehabilitation.
Versatile Ion‐Gel Fibrous Membrane for Energy‐Harvesting Iontronic Skin
Authors: Liu Yang , Zhao Chunlin , Xiong Yao , Yang Jiahong , Jiao Haishuang , Zhang Qian , Cao Ran , Wang Zhong Lin , Sun Qijun
Published: May 2023

Developing versatile and high sensitivity sensors is beneficial for promoting flexible electronic devices and human‐machine interactive systems. Researchers are working on the exploration of various active sensing materials toward broad detection, multifunction, and low‐power consumption. Here, a versatile ion‐gel fibrous membrane is presented by electrospinning technology and utilized to construct capacitive sensors and triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG). The iontronic capacitive sensor exhibits inherently favorable sensitivity and repeatability, which retains long‐term stability after 5000 cycles. The capacitive sensor can also detect a clear pulse waveform at the human wrist and enable the mapping of pressure distribution by a capacitive sensory matrix. For the iontronic TENG, the maximum peak power is 54.56 µW and can be used to power commercial electronics. In addition, the prepared iontronic TENG array can achieve interactive, rapidly responsive, and accurate dynamic monitoring, which broadens the exploration to direct and effective sensory devices. The versatile ion‐gel fibrous membrane is promising to provide an outstanding approach for physiological detection, biomechanical energy harvesting, human‐machine interaction, and self‐powered monitoring systems.
Strong and Broadband Pure Optical Activity in 3D Printed THz Chiral Metamaterials
Authors: Katsantonis Ioannis , Manousidaki Maria , Koulouklidis Anastasios D. , Daskalaki Christina , Spanos Ioannis , Kerantzopoulos Constantinos , Tasolamprou Anna C. , Soukoulis Costas M. , Economou Eleftherios N. , Tzortzakis Stelios , Farsari Maria , Kafesaki Maria
Published: May 2023

Optical activity (polarization rotation of light) is one of the most desired features of chiral media, as it is important for many polarization‐related applications. However, in the THz region, chiral media with strong optical activity are not available in nature. Here, a chiral metamaterial (CMM) structure composed of pairs of vertical U‐shape resonators of “twisted” arms is studied, and it is revealed that it demonstrates large pure optical activity (i.e., optical activity associated with negligible transmitted wave ellipticity) in the low THz regime. The experimental data show polarization rotation up to 25° for an unmatched bandwidth of 1 THz (relative bandwidth 80%), from a 130 µm‐thickness structure, while theoretical optimizations show that the rotation can reach 45°. The enhanced chiral response of the structure is analyzed through an equivalent RLC circuit model, which also provides simple optimization rules for the enhancement of its chiral response. The proposed chiral design allows for easy fabrication via direct laser writing (DLW) and electroless metal plating, making the associated structures suitable candidates for polarization control applications.
Chitosan/multilayered MXene Nanocomposites Loaded in 3D Nitrogen‐Doped Carbon Networks for Seawater Desalination with Highly Efficient Photothermal Conversion
Authors: Jin Yang , He Yujian , Wang Hen , Li Shaoxiang , Liu Jingquan
Published: May 2023

Sunlight, as one of the inexhaustible green energy sources, is attracting rising attention, particularly with the rapid depletion of traditional fossil fuels nowadays. Chitosan (CHT) is an abundant natural product that can be converted into N‐doped porous carbon which has a strong light absorption ability. Herein, chitosan is employed with the accordion‐like multilayered mMXene (mMXene) to fabricate the 3D thermally insulated and low‐cost composites using melamine foam (MF) as a template. The obtained MF/CHT/mMXene (MCM) composites with different mass ratios of mMXene/chitosan are then subject to a simple annealing treatment at 500 °C for 2 h to afford 3D and self‐floating carbonized carbonized MF/CHT/mMXene (CMCM) composites. The CMCM‐1 obtained with mass ratio of CHT/mMXene at 1:1 displays low thermal conductivity, high hydrophilicity, and good light absorbance. When it is utilized as the evaporator of pure water and seawater, its evaporation rates can reach at 1.554 and 1.428 kg m−2 h−1 under 1 kW m−2 irradiation and the photothermal conversion efficiency can reach at 89.8%. In addition, the CMCM‐1 composite also displays excellent desalination ability, self‐desalination ability, good cycle stability, and reliable safety performance. Combining these advantages, CMCM‐1 composite may have potential practical applications for seawater evaporation and wastewater treatment, etc.