bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Genetic Val66Met BDNF Variant Increases Hyperphagia on Fat-rich Diets in Mice
Authors: Xie Xiangyang , Houtz Jessica , Liao Guey-Ying , Chen Yuting , Xu Baoji 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
High prevalence of obesity is attributable in part to consumption of highly palatable, fat-rich foods. However, the mechanism controlling dietary fat intake is largely unknown. In this study we investigated the role of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the control of dietary fat intake in a mouse model that mimics the common human Val-to-Met (Val66Met) polymorphism that impairs BDNF release via the regulated secretory pathway. BdnfMet/Met mice gained weight much faster than wild-type (WT) mice and developed severe obesity due to marked hyperphagia when they were fed HFD. Hyperphagia in these mice worsened when the fat content in their diet was increased. Conversely, mice lacking leptin exhibited similar hyperphagia on chow and HFD. When 2 diets were provided simultaneously, WT and BdnfMet/Met mice showed a comparable preference for the more palatable diet rich in either fat or sucrose, indicating that increased hyperphagia on fat-rich diets in BdnfMet/Met mice is not due to enhanced hedonic drive. In support of this interpretation, WT and BdnfMet/Met mice increased calorie intake to a similar extent during the first day after chow was switched to HFD; however, WT mice decreased HFD intake faster than BdnfMet/Met mice in subsequent days. Furthermore, we found that refeeding after fasting or nocturnal feeding with HFD activated TrkB more strongly than with chow in the hypothalamus of WT mice, whereas TrkB activation under these 2 conditions was greatly attenuated in BdnfMet/Met mice. These results indicate that satiety factors generated during HFD feeding induce BDNF release to suppress excess dietary fat intake.
Spontaneous haemorrhagic cholecystitis secondary to the use of novel anticoagulants (rivaroxaban)
Authors: Kurian Merina , Lim Chee Khong , Kler Prabhjoyt , Chow Bing Lun , Chacko Cyril Jacob 
Published: January 2023

Haemorrhagic cholecystitis is a rare complication of acute cholecystitis. It carriesa high risk of morbidity and mortality. Risk factors for haemorrhagic cholecystitis include cholelithiasis, trauma, malignancy and the use of anticoagulants. There have only been a few reported cases of haemorrhagic cholecystitis secondary to the use of novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs). The demographic transition of an ageing population will potentially increase the utilisation of NOACs. Therefore the incidence ofhaemorrhagic cholecystitis secondary to NOACs will likely increase. Awareness and prompt diagnosis is paramount to avoid morbidity and mortality associated with haemorrhagiccholecystitis.
Wild snapdragon plant pedigree sheds light on limited connectivity enhanced by higher migrant reproductive success in a fragmented landscape
Authors: Gervais Laura , Mouginot Pierick , Gibert Anais , Salles Oceane , Latutrie Mathieu , Piquet Jesaelle , Archambeau Juliette , Pujol Benoit 
Published: January 2023

Background: In contrast with historical knowledge, a recent view posits that a non-negligible proportion of populations thrive in a fragmented landscape. One underlying mechanism is the maintenance of functional connectivity, i.e., the net flow of individuals or their genes moving among suitable habitat patches. Alternatively, functional connectivity might be typically limited but enhanced by a higher reproductive success of migrants. Methods: We tested for this hypothesis in wild snapdragon plants inhabiting six patches separated by seawater in a fragmented Mediterranean scrubland landscape. We reconstructed their pedigree by using a parentage assignment method based on microsatellite genetic markers. We then estimated functional connectivity and the reproductive success of plants resulting from between-patch dispersal events. Results: We found that wild snapdragon plants thrived in this fragmented landscape, although functional connectivity between habitat patches was low (i.e. 2.9%). The progeny resulting from between-patch dispersal events had a higher reproductive success than residents. Conclusion: Our findings imply that low functional connectivity in a fragmented landscapes may have been enhanced by higher reproductive success after migration. This original mechanisms might be partly compensating the negative impact of fragmentation.
Russian-Venezuelan relations during the COVID-19 pandemic. The perspective of Russia's superpower interests
Authors: Miarka Agnieszka , Łapaj-Kucharska Justyna 
Published: January 2023

Background: The fight against the COVID-19 pandemic has been instrumentalised on several occasions by powers that have seen a new sphere for realising their interests. One such power is the Russian Federation. The article aims to explain the importance of close relations with Venezuela for Russia's strategic objectives in expanding its political power in the Latin American region in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic. To achieve the research objective, the authors focused on answering the following research questions: How has the political crisis in Venezuela affected the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic? Why and how does Russia consistently support the regime of Nicolás Maduro in times of a pandemic crisis? The article's research hypothesis is that Russia used the new conditions of superpower policy, the COVID-19 pandemic, to strengthen its influence on Venezuela's domestic politics to secure the realisation of its superpower interests. Methods: The authors used content analysis of media broadcasts, statements by politicians, and literature on the subject (in English, Russian and Spanish). In addition, the re-analysis of quantitative data made it possible, for example, to characterise the economic level of the relations. The main part of the research was completed in November 2021. The article uses methods characteristic of international relations research, including the method of decision analysis. Results: The results of the research confirm that Moscow’s activity in Latin America should be interpreted as one of the manifestations of the reactivity of Russian geostrategy, i.e. a response to U.S. actions in the post-Soviet area. Conclusions: In this context, Caracas has a special position in Russia’s policy as a key regional partner in energy cooperation and a market for the sale of military technologies. The research was conducted on 13 March 2020 and ended before 24 February 2022.
Effect of water physicochemistry on amphibian abundance in Sub-tropical Kupinde Lake of the Nepal Himalaya
Authors: SUNAR CHANDRA BAHADUR , PANDEY NARESH , CHAND BIJAY , UPADHYAYA LAXMI PRASAD , THAPA BINA , PANT RAMESH RAJ , KHANAL LAXMAN 
Published: January 2023

Abstract. Sunar CB, Pandey N, Chand B, Upadhyaya LP, Thapa B, Pant RR, Khanal L. 2022. Effect of water physicochemistry on amphibian abundance in Sub-tropical Kupinde Lake of the Nepal Himalaya. Intl J Bonorowo Wetlands 12: 92-99. Amphibians are the key bioindicators of ecosystem health. Their diversity and abundance are affected by the physicochemical factors of the environment. Wetland ecosystems of the Himalaya are under the threat of human activities and current climate change. However, hydrochemical status and faunal diversity are poorly documented in the wetlands of western Nepal. This study characterized the physicochemical parameters of water in Kupinde Lake in the Salyan District of Karnali Province, Nepal, and established the association between amphibian abundance and those parameters. A total of 24 samples of surface water were collected at the lake's edge during October 2021, and 18 physical and chemical parameters were analyzed. Visual encounter surveys were conducted at each water sampling site to count amphibians within a circle of two meters in diameter. The lake water was slightly alkaline (mean pH = 8.16±0.29), and the major dominating cation and anion were Ca2+ and HCO3-, respectively. Amphibian abundance was positively correlated with pH, HCO3-, and NH4+ and negatively correlated with EC, TDS, CO2, Cl-, and Na+. The polynomial regression analysis revealed amphibian abundance has a consistent positive association with water pH (r2 = 0.497, p < 0.05) and unimodal relation with the temperature (r2 = 0.188, p < 0.05). Low amphibian diversity and dominance of a single amphibian species, the Indian skipper frog (Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis Schneider, 1799), indicate poor ecosystem health of the lake. The findings of this study provide baseline information for monitoring and managing the Kupinde Lake.
Photonic approach for Doppler-frequency-shift and angle-of-arrival measurement with direction unambiguity and high precision
Authors: Lin Qirui , Ma Jianxin 
Published: January 2023

A novel, to the best of our knowledge, scheme based on a dual-drive Mach–Zehnder modulator (DDMZM) is proposed for Doppler-frequency-shift (DFS) and angle-of-arrival (AOA) measurement without direction ambiguity. The echo signal from one antenna is coupled with a local oscillator and then fed into the upper RF port of the DDMZM, and the echo signal from the other one is directly fed to its lower RF port. The generated two first-order optical sidebands are separated by an interleaver to form two channels and then detected by two identical low-speed photodiodes, and so both magnitude and orientation of the AOA and DFS can be deduced from the power and frequency of the beating signals. The AOA measurement without direction ambiguity can be achieved by comparing the power of beating signals from two channels. In addition, through operating the DDMZM at different transmission points for different AOA measurement ranges, the range of high-precision AOA measurement can be extended. The system has the low complexity and high stability because only a DDMZM is used. The simulation results demonstrate the measurement of the DFS in the range of 500 kHz with errors

<

0.05

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z

and the AOA from

−

90

∘

to

+

90

∘

with error

<

0.8
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.
Student peer mentoring: Feasibility and acceptability of mHealth-based tool for alcohol and substance abuse prevention by peer mentors at a university in Kenya
Authors: Musyoka Catherine Mawia , Mbwayo Anne , Donovan Dennis M. , Mathai Muthoni 
Published: January 2023

Objective
The use of mobile health (mHealth)-based interventions for the prevention of alcohol and other psychoactive substances use is an emerging practice for which new evidence is required. This study evaluated the feasibility and acceptability of a mHealth-based peer mentoring tool for early screening, brief intervention, and referral of students who abuse alcohol and other psychoactive substances. It compared the implementation of a mHealth-delivered intervention to the paper-based practice that is the standard at the University of Nairobi.

Methods
A quasi-experimental study using purposive sampling was used to select a cohort of n = 100 (51 experimental, 49 control) first-year student peer mentors on two campuses of the University of Nairobi in Kenya. Data were collected on the mentors’ sociodemographic characteristics as well as the feasibility and acceptability of the interventions by way of, the magnitude of reach, feedback to investigators, referral of cases, and perceived ease of use.

Results
The mHealth-based peer mentoring tool scored high with 100% of users rating it as feasible and acceptable. Among the two study cohorts, there were no differences in the acceptability of the peer mentoring intervention. When comparing the feasibility of the peer mentoring practice, actual use of the interventions, and intervention reach, the mHealth-based cohort mentored four mentees for every one mentored by the standard practice cohort.

Conclusion
The mHealth-based peer mentoring tool had high feasibility and acceptability among student peer mentors. The intervention provided evidence for the need to expand the availability of screening services for alcohol and other psychoactive substances use among students in the university and promote the appropriate management practices within and outside the university.
Imagen y representación de estereotipos y arquetipos en la ficción audiovisual televisiva española: de Cites a El Pueblo como casos de educomunicación en series
Authors: Elías-Zambrano Rodrigo , Ramírez-Alvarado María-del-Mar , Jiménez-Marín Gloria 
Published: January 2023

La ficción audiovisual ejerce un rol socializador que influye en la construcción de las identidades personales. La proyección de la ficción en la consolidación de nuevas representaciones es determinante en las sociedades actuales, adquiriendo relevancia gracias a su capacidad de conformar personalidades a través de su imagen, influenciar en la conducta y determinar comportamientos. Este artículo pretende profundizar en la imagen de los estereotipos, arquetipos y roles sociales presentados en la ficción española coral a través de dos casos de estudio específicos: la urbana Cites y la rural El Pueblo. El objetivo fundamental es el de exponer las tendencias de tramas y personajes en dicha representación audiovisual. Para ello, se ha empleado una metodología mixta, con base de corte socio-semiótico y triangulación metodológica, que ha permitido estudiar enfoques desde la óptica de la educomunicación. Los resultados arrojan conclusiones relevantes alrededor de los diferentes modelos, estereotipos y arquetipos mostrados con referencia a la cuestión del género y opciones familiares, de pareja o relaciones de convivencia, incorporando patrones relativos a la estructuración familiar con modelos nuevos, insertándolos de un modo normalizado, dándose modelos y relaciones familiares diversos con menor cuestionamiento y mayor normalidad, auspiciando cambios en la sociedad, dado que los espectadores empatizan y desarrollan vínculos con los personajes adquiriendo su perspectiva.L
Numéro 176 - janvier 2023
Authors: Baurin Arno , Bodart Vincent , Courtoy François , Lachapelle Nathan , Pourtois Mathilde , Sauvenier Mathieu , Van Keirsbilck Leïla 
Published: January 2023

Malgré l’inflation élevée et la détérioration de la confiance des ménages et des entreprises, l’économie belge était toujours en progression au 3ème trimestre 2022, même si le rythme de la croissance fut plus faible que celui enregistré aux deux premiers trimestres. Il est probable que cette performance positive soit due encore pour partie à la réouverture complète de plusieurs activités économiques dont l’accès en début d’année était encore restreint par les mesures sanitaires. Ce phénomène étant par nature temporaire, il ne devrait plus avoir d’impact économique significatif fin 2022, si bien que l’évolution de l’activité économique au dernier trimestre devrait être plus fortement marquée par la crise énergétique. Nous prévoyons ainsi une contraction significative (-0,3%) de l’activité économique belge entre septembre et décembre. Fin 2022, de nombreux freins à la croissance persistent : inflation élevée, resserrement des conditions de financement, faible confiance et incertitude élevée, ralentissement de la croissance économique mondiale. En raison de ceux-ci, l’activité économique belge devrait continuer à se contracter début 2023. Pour autant que les prix de l’énergie se stabilisent, la récession pourrait être de courte durée. Soutenue par un marché du travail qui est resté dynamique tout au long de 2022, la croissance économique pourrait redevenir positive dès le 2ème trimestre 2023.
Selon ces perspectives, la croissance de l’économie belge en 2023 serait de +0,2% en base annuelle moyenne (contre 3,0% en 2022). L’emploi, qui a très fortement augmenté en 2022, n’augmenterait plus que faiblement en 2023, si bien que le chômage devrait se relever. Enfin, la hausse des prix devrait ralentir de manière significative en 2023.
Résumé des prévisions

L’économie belge devrait croître de 0,2% en 2023.
L’emploi augmenterait d’environ 11.000 unités en 2023.
Le nombre de demandeurs d’emploi augmenterait de 12.600 unités en 2023.
L’inflation générale des prix à la consommation s’élèverait à 5,3% en 2023.
Le déficit budgétaire des administrations publiques atteindrait 5,0% en 2023.
A Critical Analysis of Monolingual and Bilingual Pupils’ Ability to Predict Outcome and Comprehend Sentences in a Reading Comprehension
Authors: Ekanem Inibehe E. 
Published: January 2023

This study was carried out to analyze the monolingual and bilingual pupils’ ability to predict outcome and comprehend sentences in a reading comprehension passage. The research design adopted for the study was Quasi-experimental design. The study was conducted in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. The population of the study comprised all 5,074 primary schools. The sample size that was used for the study consisted of 127, drawn from primary 3 pupils from 4 private primary schools in Uyo Senatorial District. The main instrument used for data collection in the study was titled “Performance of Monolingual and Bilingual Pupils” (PMBP). To ensure face and content validity of the instrument, the PMBP was given to the researcher’s supervisor and four experts (two in the Department of Early Childhood Education and two in English Department, all in the University of Uyo). In order to ensure the reliability of the research instrument, the PMBP was trial-tested on 30 private primary school children who were not part of the study, but the respondents have similar characteristics with those in the study area. The research questions 1-2 were answered using mean and standard deviation statistics, while the null hypotheses 1-2 were analyzed using Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA). Decisions on the 2 null hypotheses were taken at .05 level of significance. The study concluded that monolingual and bilingual pupils do not differ significantly in their ability to predict outcome and comprehend sentences in reading comprehension passage. One of the recommendations made was that government, through effective monitoring, should ensure that all private schools teach the vernacular as a subject to their pupils as stipulated in the National Policy on Education for effective implementation.
Conservatively perturbed equilibrium in multi-route catalytic reactions
Authors: Trishch Vitaliy R. , Yablonsky Gregory S. , Constales Denis , Beznosyk Yuriy O. 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
The phenomenon of conservatively perturbed-equilibrium (CPE) in multi-route catalytic reactions was studied in the plug-flow reactor (PFR). The following multi-route mechanisms were chosen for studying, i.e., the two-route mechanism with the single common intermediate, the three-route mechanism with some common steps, and the two-route mechanism with the single common step and two common intermediates. All mentioned mechanisms exhibit the CPE-phenomenon. At given rate coefficients, the mechanism with the single common intermediate showed the greater CPE-effect than the mechanism with the common steps. A special computer experiment was performed in which the kinetic characteristics of non-catalytic and catalytic reactions have been compared. In this experiment, both non-catalytic and catalytic reactions have the same overall-reactions with the given equilibrium constant. It was shown that the absolute values of extreme concentrations at the CPE-point are almost the same. In this case, it is possible to estimate the concentrations at the CPE-values for complex reactions based on similar characteristics of the corresponding simple ones.
Intentional bankruptcies and methods of detection
Authors: Juškaitė Gintarė 
Published: January 2023

Bankruptcy can happen to any company, but it is very difficult to identify intentional bankruptcies that are carried out for personal gain. Currently, there is no precise methodology for identifying intentional bankruptcies, so the process depends on the skills and qualifications of the investigator. The purpose of this research is to provide a method for identifying intentional bankruptcies after examining fraud in the financial statements and their impact on the probability of bankruptcy. The paper identifies the main methods of fraud bankruptcy detection, distinguishing forensic science as the main method for doing so. The paper conducts research, which was modeled on research conducted by other authors to test the effectiveness of bankruptcy prediction methods and the effectiveness of financial indicators in detecting fraud. The research evaluated the trends of the Altman Z'-Score model and the application of binary logistic regression analysis to a sample of intentional and unintentional bankruptcies. The regression analysis provided a model for determining intentional bankruptcies and identified the following indicators: net profit/assets, liabilities/assets, liabilities/equity, and Altman Z'-Score. An independent t-test was also performed to show the differences in the means of financial ratios between intentional and unintentional bankruptcies. The results of the T-test indicated that it is important to calculate and evaluate the following additional indicators: current assets/assets, receivables/income. The results of the research may help to identify the likelihood of intentional corporate bankruptcies and thus facilitate the sophisticated methods used to date.
External Communication of Institutions Providing Social Services during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Šumskienė Egle , Banevičiūtė - Čirgelienė Sigita 
Published: January 2023

Crisis communication in social service organizations is an under-researched area. Nevertheless, this topic is very relevant, given the increasing threats to individuals and society. In the face of these threats, there is a growing need for effective communication in organizing and delivering social assistance. The outbreak of COVID-19 has changed interpersonal communication and the very nature of organizations’ work. This unprecedented situation has prompted an analysis of the level of preparedness of social services organizations to adapt in the long run to an acute, changed reality.
This paper aims to investigate how daycare centers and residential care institutions were prepared to act during a crisis, with a particular focus on communication through the organization’s external channels – websites and social networks.
The desk-based method was applied to analyze the external communication of 387 organizations providing social care and daycare services to children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities from all Lithuanian municipalities.
In assessing the capabilities and responsibility of institutions providing social services to ensure consistent external communication, this study ranks alongside others that have examined social service provision practices during the COVID-19 outbreak. However, this study differs from others by highlighting the responsibilities of social workers in combating misinformation and fake news. The research emphasizes the need for consistent, continuous, clearly presented information. It identifies systemic and organizational gaps in the external communication skills of social service providers. It can be concluded that due to these gaps, social service provision institutions were unable to counterweigh fake news, which became “mainstream news” (Wiswanath et al., 2020) and posed a threat to public health, public safety, and human lives.
The voice of social services’ providers was also missing in the wider socio-political context. Here, technological, legal, and political prerequisites emerged to address the knowledge gap and the technological exclusion of those at the margins of communication. Nevertheless, the study showed a lack of active participation of social service providers in this discourse, although they were closest to those experiencing the digital divide.
The pandemic significantly adjusted the point of view on the importance of communication in social work, its goals and nature. The main weight has shifted from the pursuit of therapeutic goals toward technological, information dissemination, and risk management aspects.