bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Teacher training in intercultural bilingual education in Guatemala: a tool for critical decolonization?
Authors: Cardani Giulia 
Published: January 2024

This article offers a critical appraisal of the status of intercultural bilingual education in Guatemala, known as Educación Bilingüe Intercultural (EBI). The new national project of 1985 provided hope that Guatemalan socio-cultural diversity would finally be accepted, fostering the creation of a multicultural and multi-linguistic state. In the education sector, the proposal for a renovated curriculum that included a new EBI model represented the possibility of moving away from an assimilationist and colonial EBI and towards interculturalism. However, little has been done in practice to include indigeneity in mainstream culture and education. A gap persists between the rhetoric of what EBI should represent and what is done in the classroom. In this context, the article explores the role of EBI teacher training programmes and the influence these can have on how EBI is intended and implemented. A small-scale qualitative study analysed how EBI is understood among stakeholders, the impact teachers and their training have on EBI, and EBI’s potential role for social transformation. The study acknowledged long-standing challenges impeding the EBI from encouraging social change and transformative interculturalism. However, it has also revealed the beginning of alternative EBI teacher training approaches that foster curriculum decolonization and respect for different identities.
Finding women in fishing communities around Lake Victoria: “Feasibility and acceptability of using phones and tracking devices”
Authors: Nanyonjo Gertrude , Kwena Zachary , Nakamanya Sarah , Okello Elialilia , Oketch Bertha , Bahemuka Ubaldo M. , Ssetaala Ali , Okech Brenda , Price Matt A. , Kapiga Saidi , Fast Pat , Bukusi Elizabeth , Seeley Janet ,   the LVCHR study team
Published: January 2024

Introduction
Women in fishing communities have both high HIV prevalence and incidence, hence they are a priority population for HIV prevention and treatment interventions. However, their mobility is likely to compromise the effectiveness of interventions. We assessed the acceptability, feasibility and of using phones and global positioning system (GPS) devices for tracking mobility, to inform future health research innovations.

Methods
A mult-site formative qualitative study was conducted in six purposively selected Fishing Communities on the shores of Lake Victoria in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Participants were selected based on duration of stay in the community and frequency of movement. Sixty-four (64) women participated in the study (16 per fishing community). Twenty-four (24) participants were given a study phone; 24 were asked to use their own phones and 16 were provided with a portable GPS device to understand what is most preferred. Women were interviewed about their experiences and recommendations on carrying GPS devices or phones. Twenty four (24) Focus Group Discussions with 8–12 participants were conducted with community members to generate data on community perceptions regarding GPS devices and phones acceptability among women. Data were analyzed thematically and compared across sites/countries.

Results
Women reported being willing to use tracking devices (both phones and GPS) because they are easy to carry. Their own phone was preferred compared to a study phone and GPS device because they were not required to carry an additional device, worry about losing it or be questioned about the extra device by their sexual partner. Women who carried GPS devices suggested more sensitization in communities to avoid domestic conflicts and public concern. Women suggested changing the GPS colour from white to a darker colour and, design to look like a commonly used object such as a telephone Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card, a rosary/necklace or a ring for easy and safe storage.

Conclusion
Women in the study communities were willing to have their movements tracked, embraced the use of phones and GPS devices for mobility tracking. Devices need to be redesigned to be more discrete, but they could be valuable tools to understanding movement patterns and inform design of interventions for these mobile populations.
Effect of daily physical activity on ambulatory blood pressure in pregnant women with chronic hypertension: A prospective cohort study protocol
Authors: Lv Yanxiang , Hu Rui , Liang Yan , Zhou Ying , Lian Yanan , He Tongqiang 
Published: January 2024

Background
Physical activity, a first-line approach for the treatment of non-gestational hypertension globally, has been shown to benefit most pregnant women in many respects. The benefits and risks of prenatal physical activity in complicated pregnancies, such as preeclampsia and chronic hypertension, require further investigation. It is worth conducting studies to address questions about physical activity during pregnancy in women with chronic hypertension, such as the benefits and risks, frequency, duration, and intensity. This prospective cohort study aims to investigate whether moderate-intensity daily physical activity reduces ambulatory blood pressure in pregnant women with chronic hypertension.

Methods
Pregnant women with chronic hypertension at 11+0 to 13+6 gestational weeks will be recruited from the outpatient clinic and divided into moderate- and light-intensity physical activity groups according to the intensity of the 7-day physical activity monitored using the model wGT3X-BT accelerometer. 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring will be performed at enrollment as a baseline and will be repeated in the second and third trimesters. The primary outcome is the difference in the change in 24-h ambulatory systolic blood pressure from the first to the third trimester between the groups. Secondary outcomes include the difference of change in other ambulatory (24-h diastolic, daytime, and nighttime) and office blood pressure variables from the first to the second and third trimesters, the incidence of severe hypertension (≥160/110 mmHg), and changes in the type and dosage of antihypertensive medication. The primary and secondary outcomes related to changes in blood pressure from baseline to the second and third trimesters between the groups will be analyzed using Student’s independent t-test or the Mann–Whitney U test.

Discussion
This cohort study will provide a basis for randomized controlled trials and verify an easily achieved, economical, and non-fetotoxic approach for adjuvant blood pressure management in pregnant women with chronic hypertension.

Registry
This study is registered with the Chinese Clinical Trials Registry (NO. ChiCTR2200062094). Date Registered: 21/07/2022.
Diagnostic contribution of multi-frequency vibrometry to detection of peripheral neuropathy in type 1 diabetes mellitus compared with nerve conduction studies
Authors: Ekman Linnéa , Dahlin Lars B. , Andersson Gert S. , Lindholm Eero 
Published: January 2024

Aim
The aim was to assess the use of multi-frequency vibrometry (MFV) in detecting diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) in type 1 diabetes in comparison to nerve conduction studies (NCS) and neurothesiometer (NT). Our objectives were to examine how VPTs correlated with NCS parameters, evaluate the efficacy of MFV in distinguishing DPN as well as to investigate whether MFV procedure could be based on fewer frequencies.

Methods
Adults with type 1 diabetes with previous MFV examinations were recruited at Skåne University Hospital in Malmö, Sweden, between 2018 and 2020. Participants were examined regarding nerve function in the lower limbs through MFV, NT and NCS.

Results
A total of 66 participants (28 women and 38 men) with a median age of 50 (39 to 64) years were included in the study. Through NCS assessment, 33 participants (50%) were diagnosed with DPN. We found negative correlations between VPTs and all NCS parameters, where the strongest correlation was found between sural nerve amplitude and the 125 Hz frequency of MFV. A combination of four frequencies, two low (4 and 8 Hz) and two high (125 and 250 Hz), showed the highest classification efficacy (AUC 0.83, 95% CI 0.73–0.93).

Conclusion
We conclude that a strong correlation exists between the sural nerve amplitude and the VPTs at 125 Hz and that VPT testing with MFV can be focused on only four frequencies instead of seven, thus shortening test time, to distinguish DPN in the lower limb.
Effect of probiotics or prebiotics on thyroid function: A meta-analysis of eight randomized controlled trials
Authors: Shu Qinxi , Kang Chao , Li Jiaxin , Hou Zhenzhu , Xiong Minfen , Wang Xingang , Peng Hongyan 
Published: January 2024

Background
Microbiome-directed therapies are increasingly utilized to optimize thyroid function in both healthy individuals and those with thyroid disorders. However, recent doubts have been raised regarding the efficacy of probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics in improving thyroid function. This systematic review aimed to investigate the potential relationship between probiotics/prebiotics and thyroid function by analyzing the impact on thyroid hormone levels.

Methods
We conducted a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials that investigated the effects of probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics on free triiodothyronine (fT3), free thyroxine (fT4), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), and thyroid stimulating hormone receptor antibody (TRAb) levels. We searched for articles from PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase up until April 1st, 2023, without any language restriction. Quantitative data analysis was performed using a random-effects model, with standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence interval as summary statistics. The methods and results were reported according to the PRISMA2020 statement.

Results
A total of eight articles were included in this review. The meta-analysis showed no significant alterations in TSH (SMD: -0.01, 95% CI: −0.21, 0.20, P = 0.93; I2: 0.00%), fT4 (SMD: 0.04, 95% CI: −0.29, 0.21, P = 0.73; I2: 0.00%) or fT3 (SMD: 0.45, 95% CI: −0.14, 1.03, P = 0.43; I2: 78.00%), while a significant reduction in TRAb levels was observed (SMD: -0.85, 95% CI: -1.54, -0.15, P = 0.02; I2: 18.00%) following probiotics/prebiotics supplementation. No indication of publication bias was found.

Conclusions
Probiotics/prebiotics supplementation does not influence thyroid hormone levels, but may modestly reduce TRAb levels in patients with Graves’ disease.
Understanding volunteerism among dental students and professionals to reach Saudi Arabia Vision 2030 goals
Authors: Aboalshamat Khalid , Alayyafi Turki , Elaiwa Ghassan , Assayegh Mishal , Alqaidi Abdulmalk 
Published: January 2024

Background
Volunteering can be defined as activities a person does for free to help another person or group. Saudi Vision 2030 has a target of one million volunteers from the country by 2030. The aim of this study was to find out the frequencies of the motives, barriers, and experiences of volunteering dental students and dentists in Saudi Arabia.

Materials and methods
In this cross-sectional study, 655 dental students and dentists from 37 cities around Saudi Arabia answered a questionnaire of 59 questions derived from previous studies. The questionnaire was distributed through social media. SPSS software was used to analyze the data, with p-value of 0.05 as significant. Chi-square was used for analytical statistics.

Results
The chance to learn in a health-related field (84.58%) was the most motivating factor to volunteer, and the least motivating factor was financial compensation (46.72%). Females had multiple significantly higher motives percentages than males (p<0.05). The most prominent barrier was time constraints (74.50%), while the least important barrier was parents/family disapproval (28.85%). Lack of transportation was a more significant (p<0.001) barrier for females than males. Of the respondents, 74.50% had previously participated in volunteer work. Among those, 98.36% volunteered in Saudi Arabia and 6.97% volunteered outside of Saudi Arabia. Also, 46.31% volunteered during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Conclusions
A high percentage of dental students and dentists in Saudi Arabia engage in volunteer activities. Nevertheless, various impediments must be addressed to achieved the targeted key performance indicator of Saudi Arabia Vision 2030.
Efeitos da Drenagem Linfática Manual em Gestantes
Authors: Oliveira Cleide Cruz de , Moura Juliana Braga Facchinetti 
Published: January 2024

A gestação corresponde a um processo fisiológico natural, e por meio dele alterações que são necessárias ocorrem, as quais podem ocasionar o edema nos membros inferiores, sensação de cansaço nas pernas, dores e mudanças psicológicas. Entre as técnicas utilizadas para tratar essas alterações está a Drenagem Linfática Manual. O presente estudo tem como objetivo discorrer sobre os efeitos da Drenagem Linfática Manual em gestantes. Para essa finalidade, utilizou como metodologia a revisão da literatura integrativa. Os resultados encontrados demonstraram que as gestantes submetidas a tal procedimento relatam redução no edema dos membros inferiores, melhora da dor e da sensação de cansaço, melhora da qualidade de vida e bem-estar. Conclui-se que a técnica contribui para melhora de alguns sintomas que ocorrem durante a gestação, não se limitando apenas à redução de edema.
Palavras chaves: Drenagem Linfática Manual; Edema; Gestante.
EVALUATING THE PRODUCTION POTENTIAL OF SIX (6) COMBRETUM SPECIES IN THE BIOMIMETIC SYNTHESIS OF SILVER NANOPARTICLES
Authors: Egonu Sheily Nneka , Okafor Uche Cyprian , Isuosuo Chinyere Chioma , Udoh Obiora Emmanuel , Chukwuemeka Chukwuma Kenechukwu , Njoku Emmanuel Gabriel , Udengwu Obi Sergius 
Published: January 2024

Existing research has shown that plants are best suited for the ecofriendly green synthesis of nanoparticles. This study reported novel findings on the biomimetic synthesis of silver nanoparticles using the aqueous leaf extract of six medicinal plant species in the genus, Combretum (C. paniculatum, C. dolichopetalum, C. platypterum, C racemosum, C. bauchiense, and C. demeusei). It was concerned with the characterization, phytochemical screening, antimicrobial and cytological evaluation of the synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). The novelty of this study lies in the creation of a nanoparticle production index (NPPI) of the species based on their crystalline sizes (in nm) and yield (in mg/l) of AgNPs. This NPPI can be defined as a measure of the quantity of particles produced with respect to the experimental species. The study also investigated whether these species would produce similar results since they belong to the same genus. It was observed that the smaller the size of the nanoparticles, the higher the production index. The highest production index was observed in C. paniculatum (18.75 nm, 144. 6 mg/l), and the least in C. demeusei (0 nm, 6.3 mg/l). The AgNPs were characterized using various standard analytical techniques. The X-ray diffraction analysis indicated that the species showed 2 theta values in the 40° range, all corresponding to miller indices of (200). The synthesized AgNPs showed varying but significant antimicrobial activities. Also, majority of the species showed a high NPPI. The study heralds a system, “phytonanotaxonomy”, the classification of plants of the same taxa based on their NPPI.
Adaptive tracking control of a nonholonomic wheeled mobile robot with multiple disturbances and input constraints
Authors: Zhang Zhonghao , Liu Xiaorui , Jiang Wanyue 
Published: January 2024

AbstractIn this paper, an adaptive trajectory-tracking control scheme is proposed for a nonholonomic wheeled mobile robot (NMR) subjected to skidding, slipping, unknown external disturbance, model uncertainties, and input saturation constraints. The changeable unknown external disturbances of the system which are hard to get, and input saturation constraints should be taken into account for safety in reality. An auxiliary system is presented for analyzing the influence of input saturation constraints, and the state of the auxiliary system is integrated into the adaptive controller. In addition, to handle the uncertainty of parameters, the radial basis function neural network (RBFNN) is proposed to deal with the unknown external disturbances of the robot dynamics. Considering slippery conditions, the skidding of the wheels and the slipping of the robots may lead to system instability. The influences of skidding, slipping, and model uncertainties are considered to be a special type of disturbance. Subsequently, a nonlinear disturbance observer is presented and integrated into the adaptive controller. Afterward based on the proposed control techniques, the stability of the robot system is proved through Lyapunov synthesis. Lastly, simulation experiments are carried on to testify to the effectiveness of the adaptive control scheme.
A generalized model of the Colonel Blotto stochastic game
Authors: Kharlamov Viktor V. 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
A generalized stochastic modification of the Colonel Blotto game, also known as the game of gladiators, is considered. In the original model, each of two players has a set of gladiators with given strengths. The battle of gladiator teams takes place through individual gladiator battles. In each fight, the probability of gladiator winning is proportional to its strength. Kaminsky et al. in 1984 had obtained a formula for the probability of winning in terms of weighted sums of exponential random variables. Here we provide an interpretation of this result from the Markov chains with continuous time point of view, and a more general statement of the problem is considered, for which a similar expression is obtained.
Logical extensions of the parametric closure operator
Authors: Marchenkov Sergey S. 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
In the present survey, we consider all logical extensions of the parametric closure operator. Such extensions are obtained by augmenting the parametric closure language with arbitrary logical connectives or the universal quantifier. This gives, in addition to the parametric closure operator, the operators of positive and implicative closure, and also the closure operator with complete system of logical connectives, and the conjunctive-quantifier closure operator. We present basic facts on classifications of the sets Pk
generated by these operators.
Supercongruences arising from a 7
F
6 hypergeometric transformation formula
Authors: Wang Chen 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Using a

F
6

7

{{}_{7}F_{6}}

hypergeometric transformation formula, we prove two supercongruences. In particular, one of these supercongruences confirms a recent conjecture of Guo, Liu and Schlosser, and gives an extension of a supercongruence of Long and Ramakrishna.
Extraction of the electron excess temperature in terahertz quantum cascade lasers from laser characteristics
Authors: Lander Gower Nathalie , Levy Shiran , Piperno Silvia , Addamane Sadhvikas J. , Reno John L. , Albo Asaf 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
We propose a method to extract the upper laser level’s (ULL’s) excess electronic temperature from the analysis of the maximum light output power (P
max) and current dynamic range ΔJ
d = (J
max − J
th) of terahertz quantum cascade lasers (THz QCLs). We validated this method, both through simulation and experiment, by applying it on THz QCLs supporting a clean three-level system. Detailed knowledge of electronic excess temperatures is of utmost importance in order to achieve high temperature performance of THz QCLs. Our method is simple and can be easily implemented, meaning an extraction of the excess electron temperature can be achieved without intensive experimental effort. This knowledge should pave the way toward improvement of the temperature performance of THz QCLs beyond the state-of-the-art.
High-resolution non-line-of-sight imaging based on liquid crystal planar optical elements
Authors: Zhao Zhibin , Zhang Qi , Li Xiaoyin , Guo Yinghui , Pu Mingbo , Zhang Fei , Guo Hengshuo , Wang Zewei , Fan Yulong , Xu Mingfeng , Luo Xiangang 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Non-line-of-sight (NLOS) imaging aims at recovering hidden objects located beyond the traditional line of sight, with potential applications in areas such as security monitoring, search and rescue, and autonomous driving. Conventionally, NLOS imaging requires raster scanning of laser pulses and collecting the reflected photons from a relay wall. High-time-resolution detectors obtain the flight time of photons undergoing multiple scattering for image reconstruction. Expanding the scanning area while maintaining the sampling rate is an effective method to enhance the resolution of NLOS imaging, where an angle magnification system is commonly adopted. Compared to traditional optical components, planar optical elements such as liquid crystal, offer the advantages of high efficiency, lightweight, low cost, and ease of processing. By introducing liquid crystal with angle magnification capabilities into the NLOS imaging system, we successfully designed a large field-of-view high-resolution system for a wide scanning area and high-quality image reconstruction. Furthermore, in order to reduce the long data acquisition time, a sparse scanning method capitalizing on the correlation between measurement data to reduce the number of sampling points is thus proposed. Both the simulation and experiment results demonstrate a >20 % reduction in data acquisition time while maintaining the exact resolution.
Probing the anharmonicity of vibrational polaritons with double-quantum two-dimensional infrared spectroscopy
Authors: Sufrin Shmuel , Cohn Bar , Chuntonov Lev 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Strong coupling between the molecular vibrations and electromagnetic fields of light confined to an infrared cavity leads to the formation of vibro-polaritons – quasi-particles thought to provide the means to control the rates of chemical reactions inside a dark cavity. Despite the mechanisms indicating how vibrational coupling to the vacuum fields can affect the reaction rates are still not well understood, it has been recently demonstrated that the formation of the polariton states alters the ultrafast relaxation dynamics of the strongly coupled system. The relaxation dynamics in molecules, which is known to be important for the chemical reactivity, is directed by anharmonic couplings involving multiple intra- and inter-molecular vibrational degrees of freedom. However, the impact of the molecular anharmonicity on the polariton states remains elusive. Some theoretical models, employed to interpret the experimental observations, assume that vibrational polaritons are harmonic. Others assume a certain anharmonicity of vibro-polaritons; however, to date, it has not been experimentally determined. Herein, we performed double-quantum two-dimensional third-order nonlinear infrared spectroscopy of the carbonyl stretching (C=O) vibrational modes in a thin film of polymethyl methacrylate polymer (PMMA) strongly coupled to the surface lattice resonances of the periodic arrays of half-wavelength infrared disk antennas. We found that, indeed, the mechanical anharmonicity of polaritons is very small. Quantitatively, our results place an upper bound on a polariton mechanical anharmonicity of 2 cm−1, compared with that of the C=O mode in a PMMA film of 15 cm−1. Thus, our results support previous assumptions regarding the harmonic character of vibro-polaritons.