bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Catalysing Financial Inclusion in South Africa's Rural Landscape: A Theoretical Discourse of PoS Business Model
Authors: Iwara Ishmael Obaeko
Published: June 2024

In countries like South Africa, where cash plays a pivotal role in social and economic life, limited access to financial institutions, in rural areas has led to significant economic challenges for citizens and businesses. This limitation has further exacerbated the financial exclusion of the underserved population resonating with poor economic growth. In addressing the issue, this desktop-based theoretical discourse, draws on the Technology Acceptance Model, Schumpeterian Entrepreneurship Theory, and Circular Flow of Income Model to conceptualise cash point-of-sale business model, as an innovative mechanism with the potential to spearhead the country’s financial inclusion efforts, entrepreneurial imperatives and local economic participation. The findings provide valuable insights for policymakers and financial institutions to design and implement effective financial inclusion policies in rural areas. By addressing unique challenges faced by rural communities, such as limited infrastructure and lower levels of education, a more inclusive and resilient financial ecosystem can be achieved, contributing to broader social and economic development goals in South Africa's rural landscape. An exploratory empirical study is further recommended to pave the way for the development of a contextual framework to guide the model’s implementation in South Africa.
Reconsidering Digital Strategies for Recruiting and Organising Young Emerging Teachers in Chosen Teachers' Unions in South Africa
Authors: Fakude Xolani , Matsepe David , Maluleke Mugwena
Published: June 2024

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) reports that, in most of its member countries, the percentage of employed individuals who are members of trade unions has decreased significantly over the past few decades, with less than 20 percent. Some of the studies done on this subject unequivocally acknowledge that low membership turnover and dwindling trade union densities are caused by the incapacity to mobilize, organize, and serve members. In order to determine the most effective and efficient way to use these integrated digital strategies, this research investigates types of digital modes for organising, mobilising, and retaining new coming educators. Data were gathered through interviews with ten SADTU organisers and ten students from particular South. African universities, using the qualitative method. The data was analysed using a grounded (thematic) approach. The study's overall findings shows that digital technologies play a significant role in luring newer generations of trade union members. The findings of this study directly influenced the creation of more precise and efficient digital strategies for recruiting and organizing young emerging teachers, leading to an overall enhancement in the recruitment and retention of talent within the education sector.
An Investigation on The Extent of Usage and Challenges Faced by Tourism SMEs Concerning E-Marketing: Empowering Co-creation of Value
Authors: Mgoduka Siyasanga , Kaseeram Irrshad , Heeralal Shalen
Published: June 2024

Due to advancements in technology and digital connectivity, travel patterns have changed. Technological developments have increased the amount of information and inspiration available to consumers, and big data analytics allows for the creation of innovative insights. When it comes to implementing cutting-edge technologies, small businesses typically lag behind larger ones. In light of the above, this study aims to examine the extent of usage and challenges SMEs face concerning e-marketing. SMEs in the tourism sector have demonstrated that they are drivers of economic growth through the development of entrepreneurial skills and job creation. In this study, data was qualitatively collected from 14 SME service providers, through a purposive sampling method. The findings revealed that SMEs struggle with the adoption of e-marketing. Moreover, the findings revealed that SMEs are also faced with the challenge of easy access to funding, this was found to affect their flexibility towards digital transformation. Lastly, this study found that SMEs are faced with the challenge of lack of expertise to implement digital transformations. This study concludes that, although in South Africa government funding provided to SMEs through grants plays a critical role, it is still not enough. The government can further their SME development initiatives through public sector and private sector partnerships. By increasing SMEs access to funding, joint SME development programs offer a substantial chance to promote entrepreneurship in South Africa.
The Effect of Performance Appraisal on Employee Performance at The University of KwaZulu-Natal
Authors: Mulidzwi Fulufhelo , Vajeth Taahir , Mashau Pfano
Published: June 2024

Performance appraisal (PA) is commonly used to manage as well as to measure employees’ performance at various organisations. Large or small organisations are always seeking much better ways to effectively enhance and improve employee performance thus maximising profit. The main aim of the study was to investigate the effect of PA on employee performance at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN). The hypothesis for this study was that the PA process will have a positive impact on employee performance at the UKZN while the null hypothesis was that the PA process will not have any impact on employee performance at the UKZN. The study employed a quantitative research method. The study also used a descriptive research design to help the researcher describe the characteristics of the population in an accurate and systematic approach. A stratified random sampling technique was employed, employees were divided and categorised into groups representing departments or schools they belong to, and then a simple random sampling in each group was applied. The sample size was determined to be 225 academic and support staff. Findings showed that PA has a positive impact on employee performance at UKZN. The study recommends that managers and supervisors must continue to set clear work goals and work targets for their employees as it is noted that employees are more effective and highly motivated when they know what is required from them and their work target. Appraisers must give frequent feedback to employees and help them improve in areas where they are lacking.
Smartphone- and Tablet-Reliant Internet Users: Affordances and Digital Exclusion
Authors: Faith Becky , Hernandez Kevin
Published: June 2024

In countries where digital-only service delivery has become the norm, the removal of offline services and channels risks exclusion and alienation for marginalised communities, many of whom have access to the internet exclusively through a smartphone or a tablet computer. These users have been described as part of a “mobile underclass” who face challenges interacting with systems that are difficult to use on devices other than laptops or desktop computers. This article uses the theoretical lens of affordances to explore the everyday realities of digital engagement for economically and socially marginalised communities who only have internet access through a smartphone or tablet computer. This allows for an examination of the ways in which these devices might discourage or refuse certain actions such as applying for a job, as well as how they might encourage or allow other courses of action. Using data from qualitative interviews with people working at community-based organisations delivering support to digitally excluded unemployed people seeking welfare and employment support in three cities in the US and the UK, we seek to understand the role of the affordances of devices in preventing smartphone- and tablet-reliant users from accessing their basic entitlements and finding work. In doing so, we offer new perspectives on mobile-only internet access, digital divides, and digital inequalities.
Fauna de opiliões (Arachnida) em uma Unidade de Conservação no Cerrado, Parque Nacional Grande Sertão Veredas, Brasil
Authors: Rubim Luis Gustavo Talarico , Renne Diego Gonçalves dos Santos , Padua Thiago Henrique dos Reis , Gouvêa Taiguara Pereira de , Vilela Diogo Silva , Jacques Gabriel de Castro , Souza Marcos Magalhães de
Published: June 2024

O Cerrado compreende cerca de 24% do território brasileiro e abriga uma rica biodiversidade com alta taxa de endemismo, entretanto, estima-se que apenas 8% deste bioma esteja protegido por Unidades de Conservação. Soma-se a isso a crescente redução da área do Cerrado devido ao desmatamento para pecuária e monoculturas, e as poucas informações acerca de muitos táxons, como por exemplo o dos opiliões, aracnídeos que reciclam nutrientes e desempenham importante papel nas cadeias tróficas, pois agem como predadores e presas. Nesse sentido, o objetivo deste estudo foi inventariar pela primeira vez a opiliofauna no Parque Nacional Grande Sertão Veredas (PNGSV), uma das maiores Unidades de Conservação de Cerrado nos estados de Minas Gerais e Bahia, Brasil. O trabalho foi realizado de setembro de 2022 a abril de 2023, no total de 48h de esforço amostral. Foram identificadas 13 espécies para a localidade, sendo a maior riqueza já registrada por estudos de inventários no bioma. As informações apresentadas justificam a necessidade urgente de mais estudos no Cerrado, para conhecer melhor a fauna de opiliões, principalmente em função da perda crescente da área desse bioma; além disso, os dados ratificam a importância do PNGSV para a proteção das comunidades de opiliões no Cerrado mineiro e baiano, e justifica os investimentos públicos para essa UC, que cumpre seu papel proposto de conservação da biota e dos recursos naturais brasileiros.
Por que as aranhas utilizam ninhos abandonados de vespas sociais (Vespidae)?
Authors: Simões Silva Maria Luiza , Da Silva Igor Henrique , Ferreira Eike Daniel Fôlha , Jacques Gabriel de Castro , Souza Marcos Magalhães de
Published: June 2024

Os ninhos abandonados de vespas sociais (Vespidae: Polistinae) podem ser utilizados por diferentes animais, mas poucos são os relatos de sua ocupação por aranhas, apesar de serem encontrados nos mesmos habitats. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho é relatar o uso de ninhos abandonados de vespas sociais por aranhas em diferentes ecossistemas no estado de Minas Gerais, Brasil. Os registros ocorreram entre novembro de 2022 a março de 2023, a partir de busca ativa, em três localidades do estado: Parque Nacional Grande Sertão Veredas, Cerrado, Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia de Minas Gerais, Campus Bambuí, transição de Cerrado e Mata Atlântica, e Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do Sul de Minas Gerais, Campus Inconfidentes, bioma Mata Atlântica. Foram coletados 53 ninhos abandonados de vespas sociais, oito deles com a presença de seis espécies e morfoespécies de aranhas. O uso de ninhos abandonados de vespas sociais pode ser comum para algumas espécies de aranhas porque sua estrutura e localização oferecem habitat semelhantes aos usualmente ocupados por elas, além de outros benefícios. São necessários mais estudos sobre a frequência dessa utilização, já que a alimentação e os ambientes ocupados por aranhas são variáveis.
FRAMEWORK FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF DIGITAL STRATEGIES FOR INDUSTRIAL COMPANIES: PRINCIPLES, METHODS AND TOOLS
Authors: Gileva T. A.
Published: June 2024

Strategic management and strategy as a tool for managing business development have become responses to the increasing instability of the external environment. With the advent and development of digital technologies, there has been another quantitative and qualitative leap in the growth of uncertainty in the operating conditions of industrial enterprises. In order to remain competitive, they have embarked on a digital transformation process, the success of which also largely depends on having a clear strategy for implementing the transformation. The requirements for such a strategy, and the methods and tools used to develop it, are in some respects very different from those used in traditional strategic management. This determines the research relevance in the field of determining the nature of the digital strategy of the industrial enterprise, methods and tools for its development. It is shown that a digital strategy is a strategy for business development in a digital environment and that the key problem in its development is the need to significantly increase flexibility while maintaining a certain stability. Analysis of trends in the area of adaptation and development of methods for strategy development in the digital environment was carried out. Four broad sets of methods for increasing strategic flexibility have been identified: based on scenario development, experimentation, the use of organisational and management mechanisms, and on the use of ecosystem capabilities. Taking into account the stages of digital transformation process of the industrial enterprise and the basic practices of adaptive management, a landscape of methods and tools for the formation of a digital strategy of a company has been built up, allowing to broaden the understanding and to make a reasonable choice of an instrumental and methodological base. The concept of a minimum viable strategy is highlighted as a promising direction for developing a flexible digital strategy for an enterprise. A tool for its development is proposed in the form of a one-page presentation (canvas) that logically combines the key components of a digital strategy, ensuring its flexibility and sustainability.
THE ROLE OF FUNCTIONALITY AND QUALITY OF SERVICE OF INTERNET SERVICES IN IMPROVING THE BUSINESS EFFICIENCY OF PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES
Authors: Kuznetsova M. O. , Linder A. G.
Published: June 2024

With the continued growth of business-to-busines (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) Internet services, online providers offer an increasing range of services that support and improve their core products or services. In this article, we will explore Internet services in the pharmaceutical market in E-Pharma.

The results of the field study confirm that the functionality and quality of the services provided by Internet services are important predictors of customer beliefs and behaviour, and have a significant impact on indicators of pharmaceutical company development  as sales and advertising revenue. The constructed econometric model confirms that the monthly traffic of the Internet service is primarily sensitiveto the speed of order processing, i.e. a change in the speed of order processing will be reflected in the growth of traffic after a shorter period of time compared to other factors. The functional value is also confirmed, reflecting the usefulness of the Internet service in a practical aspect due to the influence of selected factors in the multiple regression model studied.

The study allowed us to identify the most effective ways to develop Internet services in the E-Pharma market. These include: promotion of Internet services through social networks, which will ensure an increase in both the social and emotional value of the Internet values studied; implementation of other measures to increase public awareness of Internet services operating in the Russian pharmaceutical market; development of a loyalty programme for customers of a pharmacy organisation who purchase medicines through an Internet service, thereby contributing to an increase in their functional, social, and emotional value.
Understanding Crowd Responses to Perceived Hostile Threats: An Innovative Multidiscplinary Approach
Authors: Templeton Anne , Telga Maïka , Ronchi Enrico , Neville Fergus , Reicher Steve , Drury John
Published: June 2024

People facing threat may evacuate, help others, share information, ignore the threat and the plight of others, or enact a combination of these behaviours. Accurate conceptual models of crowd behaviours must consider why and when these behaviours occur, as well as how people's responses may vary across different scenarios. Researchers have investigated crowd responses to threats using a variety of methods, such as interviews, observational analysis and virtual reality experiments. Each methodology offers benefits to understanding collective responses to threats, but each methodology also has limitations. Importantly, very little research has explored crowd responses in false alarm situations where crowd members misperceive that a threat exists. In this paper, we describe a new programme of work which combines approaches from safety engineering and crowd psychology to gain a thorough understanding of crowd behaviour in response to real and misperceived threats, and the processes underpinning the behaviour. We focus on how we identified and addressed the similarities and differences in our research questions, conceptual approaches to research, and methodological abilities. We demonstrate how our multidisciplinary approach provides a framework for combining diverse research methods that collectively build knowledge to create more accurate models of crowd responses to (mis)perceived threats.
Modern approach to pharmacotherapy of chronic insomnia in childhood
Authors: Tadtaeva Zara G. , Galustyan Anna N. , Krivoshein Aleksandr E. , Rusanovsky Vladimir V. , Akimov Aleksandr A. , Sardaryan Ivan S. , Kuritsina Natalia A.
Published: June 2024

Insomnia is a widespread problem in the pediatric population. The prevalence of insomnia in childhood varies from 5% to 50%. The lack of adequate therapy can lead to chronicity, impairment of cognitive and motor functions, and eventually development of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, diabetes, and gastrointestinal and mental disorders. Thus, timely identification and treatment of childhood insomnia is important. This study aimed to summarize and systematize current information about the modern approach to pharmacotherapy of chronic insomnia in childhood. Modern and foreign randomized controlled trials over the past 10 years were analyzed. Treatment of chronic insomnia includes non-pharmacological and pharmacological approaches. Behavioral strategies are recommended as first-line treatment for childhood insomnia. The availability of different pharmacological drug groups allows for a personalized approach to treatment. However, the use of off-label drugs requires a justified prescription. The lack of large-scale clinical studies on the effectiveness, tolerability, dosing, and safety profile of drugs implies the need for further research to better understand the risks (negative side effects) and benefits of using such drugs for treating sleep disorders in children.
Tofaticinib as a potential therapeutic agent: a review
Authors: Mohan Shobhit , Singh Neelu , Mohan Lalit
Published: June 2024

Tofacitinib is a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved second generation immunosuppressive disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) that is used in the treatment of conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis polyarticular course juvenile idiopathic arthritis and psoriatic arthritis. Tofacitinib can be used to treat adult RA patients who are intolerant to methotrexate. At cellular level tofacitinib selectively inhibits Janus kinase (JAKs) in human genome and thereby stops the cytokine receptor-based signalling of interleukins viz., IL2, IL4, IL6, IL7, IL15, IL21, interferon alpha (IFNa) and IFNc in synovial fibroblasts and CD14 monocytes, thereby leading to disruption of immune and inflammatory responses. Tofacitinib is marketed as orally administered conventional tablets (5 mg and 10 mg doses) extended-release tablets (11 mg dose) and oral solutions (1 mg/ml dose). Tofacitinib is quickly absorbed after oral administration with systemic bioavailability of 74%. Tofacitinib is metabolized majorly by CYP3A4 and clearance is 70% via hepatic metabolism and 30% via renal excretion. Half-life of orally administered tofacitinib was observed to be 3 hours. Patients receiving tofacitinib therapy should be monitored for TB, renal impairment, hepatic impairment or any kind of bacterial, viral or fungal infections before initiating or during therapy. Most common reported adverse events of tofacitinib are headache, diarrhoea, nasopharyngitis, sore throat, hypertension and respiratory tract infections. Tofacitinib therapy should be cautiously used in females of reproductive age and in patients receiving renal transplant. Tofacitinib is not recommended with other immunosuppressants and vaccines. Thus, tofacitinib being a potential therapeutic agent the current review elaborates the history, detailed pharmacology, dosing, adverse events, interactions and contraindications of tofacitinib.
NIDO Y POLLUELOS DE LA EUFONIA GARGANTA NEGRA MESOAMERICANA Euphonia affinis EN UN ÁREA SUBURBANA EN TABASCO, MÉXICO
Authors: Sánchez Soto Saúl , Candelero José Armando
Published: June 2024

Se presenta un caso de anidación de la Eufonia Garganta Negra Mesoamericana Euphonia affinis en el sureste de México, registrado entre el 13 de septiembre y 23 de octubre de 2022. La especie anidó en una maceta colgante en un área suburbana. La nidada consistió en tres polluelos y el periodo de anidación duró aproximadamente 40 días. Durante el evento la hembra falleció y el macho se encargó del cuidado de la progenie durante al menos 12 días.
Categorical modeling of the sublanguage of homeopathy
Authors:   Ural State University of Railway Transport, Buzheninov Alexander E.
Published: June 2024

The article considers the categorical modeling of the sublanguage of homeopathy. The sublanguage of a professional area of knowledge and/or activity is a means of verbalizing its notions, concepts and categories, and serves as a form of creation, interpretation, storage and communication of special knowledge. On the material of 1258 terms and general literary words from homeopathic dictionaries, monographs and tutorials on homeopathy, 8 universal ontological and epistemological categories are distinguished (categories of agent, state, processes, occupations, properties, values, sciences and branches, tools) and one category, characteristic for this sublanguage, – “Medication”. These particular categories are conceptually significant for this sublanguage, they form the “framework” of homeopathic knowledge. Universal categories are inherent in any scientific field, while the specific category “Medication” is a unique mental construct due to the distinctive characteristics of the concepts constituting this category and the prevailing means of their verbalization. From the point of view of verbalization of homeopathic concepts that form the identified categories, the sector-specific (general medical, anatomical, clinical) terminology has the largest share, which results from the youth of homeopathy as a professional knowledge and its status as a branch of medical science. General literary vocabulary is also present in homeopathic texts and represents a part of everyday knowledge that is inevitable for any scientific and professional field, due to the necessity to communicate not only within the framework of the “specialist – specialist” scheme, but also within the “specialist – non-specialist” scheme (for example, “doctor – patient”). The smallest share is the layer of highly specialized, homeopathic terminology per se, verbalizing unique concepts created by homeopathy. The results of the study make it possible to enrich the knowledge of the relationship between universal and specific categories in professional sublanguages and the relationship between the means of verbalization of the corresponding concepts.
Linguocultural lexical timers and chronemes in the informative code of journalistic discourse (on the material of the magazines National Geographic and Vokrug Sveta (Around the World))
Authors:   Ural Federal University named after the first President of Russia B. N. Yeltsin, Koliadin Anton V.
Published: June 2024

The article describes the nominative field of the dominant concept “Time” by identifying the peculiarities of the representation of chronemes and linguocultural lexical timers in the discursive temporal architectonics of journalistic articles on Arabic architecture published in the magazines Vokrug Sveta and National Geographic. The research is determined by the need for taxonomic modeling of the nominative field of the dominant concept “Time” from the perspective of its contextual coupling with the linguocultural range of descriptions of ancient Arabic urban architecture in the journalistic discourse of English-language and Russian-language magazines. The article “The Earth and the Sun of Tunisia” by V. Zakharchenko and V. Kaboshkin as well as the article “These 5 destinations are among the holiest sites in Islam”, written by the editor of the National Geographic magazine, were both considered for the temporal components of the nominative field of the dominant concept “Time”. Their comparative analysis showed trends in the use of temporal markers in the discursive informative code of journalistic texts. The findings indicate that the article by V. Zakharchenko and V. Kaboshkin “The Earth and the Sun of Tunisia” published in the magazine Vokrug Sveta, and the editorial article “These 5 destinations are among the holiest sites in Islam” published in the National Geographic magazine contain 25 and 23 chronemes and linguocultural lexical timers, respectively. The identified temporal markers are used as a reference to the historical period during which a particular architectural construction was created in the urban space. The result of this article involves the replenishment of the theoretical data on the features of the nominative field of the dominant concept “Time” represented by various chronemes and linguocultural lexical timers in journalistic discourse, as well as in the presentation of the author’s classification of chronemes identified in the journalistic texts on Arabic architecture taken from the magazines Vokrug Sveta and National Geographic. The obtained research results can be applied in lectures and seminars on discourse studies, intercultural communication, cognitive linguistics, text theory, in seminars on the interpretation of the discursive informative code of the nominative field of the dominant concept “Time”.
Other people’s speech in contemporary Russian prose (A. Slapovsky’s collection Foggy Alleys)
Authors:   The Herzen State Pedagogical University of Russia, Tkacheva Valentina N.
Published: June 2024

This article provides a description of the ways in which other people’s speech is conveyed in modern and classical prose on the material of the collections of novels Dark Alleys by I.A. Bunin and Foggy Alleys by A. I. Slapovsky. The focus is on several ways: direct speech constructions, free direct speech, and dialogue. This choice is due to the fact that precisely these ways most clearly demonstrate the features of modern prose. The analysis of the stories reveals changes not only in the representation of direct speech and the author’s words, but also in the functions of the extension of the author’s words, among which, for example, appear the expression of linguistic reflection, the distinction between the points of view of the author and the character, the motivation of their verbal behavior. The conclusions are made about the change in the correlation of the parts of the construction with direct speech, which is characterized by binarity. The representation of the above ways of rendering the speech of other people is considered taking into account the variation of the first-person and third-person narrative, as well as the functional and semantic types of speech – informational, demonstrative, sententious, proposed by Professor S. G. Ilyenko. The use of free direct speech is motivated, as well as the convergence of direct speech constructions with statements containing introductory components. The particularities of the presentation of the external and internal speech of the characters are revealed, taking into account the punctuation-graphic arrangement. A specific way of presenting the dialogue in contemporary prose is demonstrated. Through the syntactic lens it was possible to see that Alexei Slapovsky, whose work is marked by attention to the contemporary, demonstrated not only changes in language, but also changes in the attitude of people of different generations to the word, thought, love.
The perception of Blaise Pascal and his legacy by the official Soviet culture of the 1920–1930s
Authors:   Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia named after Patrice Lumumba, Kashlyavik Kira U. , Lobkov Aleksandr E. ,   Sevastopol State University
Published: June 2024

The perception of Blaise Pascal by the official Soviet culture of the 1920–1930s has not yet become the subject of a special study. At a new historical turn, the scientific and spiritual legacy of the French thinker was inevitably subject to revision. The authors set themselves the task of revealing the peculiarities of constructing the image of Pascal and interpreting his ideas in the society of mass intellectual culture. The main material for the article was information about Pascal, which a Soviet citizen could obtain from encyclopedic dictionaries, textbooks, popular science articles and periodicals. It is concluded that the personality and works of the French genius of the 17th century were important in arranging a dialogue between the new Soviet culture and traditional European culture in general, and the French culture in particular. In the 1920–1930s the “Soviet traditionalism” was emerging, i. e. the practice of the Soviet state to create boundaries of loyalty for traditionalism, which, first of all, affects intellectual culture. The European bourgeois culture and the specific case of Pascal were inscribed into the new coordinates. The “boundaries of loyalty” set for the legacy of the French genius brought to the fore Pascal the scientist and Pascal the philosophizing writer. The emphasis on the Descartes/Pascal opposition, which reflects the spiritual, philosophical, cultural and ideological conflicts of the new Soviet state, is meaningful. In this conflict, Pascal became a kind of “hidden man”, whose spiritual experience is disguised under the proclaimed atheistic mundanity. However, the essence of the internal structure of Pascal’s personality turns out to be close to the asceticism and anti-bourgeois nature of the Soviet culture. Pascal becomes a role model for the Soviet people in terms of shaping themselves on the path to a bright and just society.
Christian truth and political power in Evelyn Waugh’s Helena
Authors:   Saratov State University, Kabanova Irina V.
Published: June 2024

The novel Helena (1950) is analyzed as Evelyn Waugh’s profound statement on his most significant problems: the possibility to resolve the crises of the 20th-century consciousness through Christianity and on the nature of power. Cradle Anglo-Catholics were always suspicious of Waugh, seeing him as an errant Catholic; the paper uses the work of Waugh’s biographers and interpreters to pinpoint his personal reception of Catholicism as the most sophisticated, strictly logical system, firmly grounded in historical fact. Waugh’s story of St. Helena is simultaneously a biography of half-legendary Saint, known for her discovery of the Cross of Golgotha, who thus proved the truthfulness of the founding Christian narrative, and an ironic modern historical novel on the decline of the Roman Empire. Many parallels between the period of Helena’s husband and son (Constantius Chlor and Constantine the Great, respectively) and the catastrophic history of the 20th century are suggested through the devices of anachronism, grotesque, figurative style. The author depicts the persistence of paganism, the use of religious cults as political instrument by cynical persons in their pursuit of individual power. High dose of irony prevents the novel from going in the direction of hagiography; nevertheless the author’s concept of his title character brings to life the most positive and optimistic text in Waugh’s whole oeuvre. By the end of her long life, by converting to Christianity, Helena finds her vocation, her providential mission, completes it, and gains in the fact satisfaction and peace.
Otherness of individual existence in the context of fake reality
Authors:   Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia named after Patrice Lumumba, Abbud Mohammed
Published: June 2024

The article considers the phenomenon of fake and its influence on the individual existence of a person. In circumstances where public opinion is entirely manipulated, the freedom of thought is constrained. Overwhelmed by the excessive influx of information, an individual gradually loses the capacity to distinguish between what is true and false. Having embraced the ideological slogan “This is completely different” and acknowledged the importance, the acceptability of double standards, opting for a fabricated reality becomes a choice of the lesser evil for an individual. On the one hand, there exists truth, liberty, and accountability, which necessitates considerable effort for a meaningful existence. On the other hand, the devaluation of these values to the level of “one’s own truth,” comfortable conformity, and a reduction in the degree of accountability to the status of “possessing” or “maintaining one’s reputation” enables an individual to seamlessly conform to the prevailing consensus, without stepping out of the comfort zone. The data from domestic and foreign researchers studying this phenomenon are analyzed. Key issues related to the nature of fake, the roles of mass media and new media are identified, the author’s definition of this concept is provided. In the context of this article, a “fake” is interpreted as a means of ideological manipulation, serving as a defining feature of a text regarding its deviation from the truth. The typical psychological traits of an “average” individual, who generates untruths and is open to accepting them as facts, his/her inclination to “avoid information”, attributing truthfulness to what is essentially an opinion, and showing unquestioning faith in diverse experts, enable contemporary information consumers to merge their personal perception of reality with the constructed reality presented by influential media sources. It is concluded that a fake, having various forms of existence, is an ideological tool for manipulating individual and supra-individual consciousness, while individuals find themselves immersed in a new fake reality.
Invariant Natural Killer Cells Regulate Conventional Dendritic Cell Maturation to Re-establish Immune Tolerance to Rheumatoid Arthritis in DBA/1 Mice
Authors: Wang Yaqi , Zhang Min , Chen Shengde , Li Zheng , Meng Ming
Published: June 2024

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a type of autoimmune disease that results in immune disorder and excessive inflammatory response due to a reduction of self-tolerance. Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells can effectively alleviate clinical symptoms and hyper-inflammation in RA, but their mechanism of action is not well-defined. This study aims to investigate the mechanism of iNKT cell therapy for RA.
We established a DBA/1 mouse model for RA and treated it with specific iNKT cells. A cytometric bead array was used to measure the amounts of cytokines in the serum. Flow cytometry was then employed to identify different subsets of helper T cells (Th), the frequency of conventional dendritic cells (cDC), the expression of CD80, CD86, programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1), and PD-L2 on cDC surfaces, and associated pathway proteins.
iNKT cell treatment reduced Th1/Th2 and Th17/ regulatory T (Treg) cell ratios while increasing interleukin-4 (IL-4) and IL-10. It enhanced the generation of immature cDCs, and it upregulated the level of PD-L2 by stimulating the Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling pathway. Meanwhile, it activated the extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) pathway and inhibited the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) pathway.
According to our findings, iNKT cell treatment increased the expression of phosphates STAT3 in lymph node cDC, causing them to upregulate PD-L2 molecules. While activating the ERK1/2 pathway and inhibiting the NF-κB pathway, tolerogenic cDC was produced, restoring immune homeostasis and correcting excessive inflammation. These results deliver new insights into the treatment of RA by iNKT cells.
Moderate-intensity Exercise Alleviates Rat’s Systemic Inflammation Induced by Repeated Exposure to Lipopolysaccharide
Authors: Moghaddam Hamid Reza Rezaei , Sahranavard Toktam , Rezaee Ramin , Boskabady Mohammad Hossein , Gholamnezhad Zahra
Published: June 2024

The protective impacts of physical activity against inflammatory and oxidative stress conditions have been demonstrated. In this study, the impacts of moderate-intensity exercise on oxidative stress-associated factors and proinflammatory cytokines levels as well as the count of white blood cells (WBC) were assessed in a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-triggered model of inflammation.
Wistar rats were randomized into these groups (8 rats in each): (1) control; (2) LPS; (3) moderate exercise (EX); and (4) moderate exercise + LPS (EX+LPS). Exercise groups were trained for 8 weeks (30 min, 6 days/week) at 15 m/min speed. During the final week of the experiment, 1 mg/kg/day of intraperitoneal LPS was administered for 5 days. On day 56, from the rats’ hearts, peripheral blood was taken for biochemical evaluation.
LPS enhanced serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin (IL)- 1β, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), metabolites of nitric oxide, and malondialdehyde (MDA), as well as the counts of total WBC, monocytes, neutrophils, and eosinophils, but decreased serum levels of thiol as well as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activity versus the control rats. Moderate exercise reduced the levels of thiol, CAT, and SOD, but increased TNF-α level, and total WBC, neutrophils, eosinophils, and monocytes counts versus the control group. In the EX+LPS group, moderate exercise decreased cell counts and diminished MDA, TNF-α, IL-1β, and CRP levels, while increasing thiol level, CAT, and SOD versus the LPS group.
In our study, exercise preconditioning reduced inflammation induced by LPS by ameliorating inflammatory cytokine levels, WBC counts, and oxidative damage, while improving antioxidant defenses.
Assessment of the Anti-cancer Effects of Camel Milk Exosomes (CMEXOs) on Murine Colorectal Cancer Cell Line (CT-26)
Authors: Karbasi Samira , Erfanian Nafiseh , Dehghan Hamideh , Zarban Asghar , Namaei Mohammad Hasan , Hanafi-Bojd Mohammad Yahya , Nasseri Saeed
Published: June 2024

Today, camel milk consumption in the Middle East is trendy because it is believed that it reduces the risk of cancer. Recently, studies have discovered that most of milk's beneficial effects are because of its nanoparticles, especially exosomes. The objective of the present research was to investigate the anti-cancer effects of camel milk exosomes (CMEXOs) in the murine colorectal cancer cell line (CT-26).
Our findings verified the existence of exosomes measuring approximately 114.1±3.4 nm in diameter. Through MTT and migration assays, we established that CMEXOs exhibit dose-dependent anti-proliferative and anti-migration effects on the CT-26 cell line. Furthermore, our study showed that treatment with CMEXOs led to a reduction in TNF-α and IL-6 gene expression in CT-26 cells.
While additional in vivo studies are required, our data demonstrate that CMEXOs have anti-proliferative and anti-migration effects on CT-26, possibly by influencing crucial genes within the inflammation pathway.
Modeling the Structural Relationships of Attachment Styles with Readiness for Addiction with the Mediation Cognitive Regulation of Emotion in Addicts Who Are Quitting
Authors: Elahinezhad Mahnaz , Ebrahimi Moghadam Hossein
Published: June 2024

Background: This research aimed to model the structural relationships of attachment styles with for addiction readiness with mediating variable cognitive regulation of emotion in quitting drug addicts.
Methods: This is an analytical-cross-sectional study. The sample included 300 rehabilitated addicts (18 to 55 years old) were selected from 4 addiction treatment centers in Amol city in 1401 using stratified random sampling. The tools used in this research were the questionnaire on attachment styles, readiness for addiction,cognitive regulation of emotions. Data analysis was perfprmed based on structural equation modeling in Amos 22 software.
Results: The findings manifested that attachment styles affect addiction readiness with the mediating variable being cognitive regulation of emotions in recovering addicts (P = 0.006, P = 0.0001). Attachment styles were directly related to the cognitive regulation of emotions in recovering addicts (P = 0.0001). Cognitive regulation of excitement had a direct association with readiness for addiction in drug addicts who are quitting (P = 0.0001).
Conclusion:The results can beapplied in the interventions and trainings of addiction treatment clinics with regard to the predictive power of variables.
THE CHAIN METHOD FOR SOLVING A FINITE-ORDER LINEAR DIFFERENCE EQUATION AND SOME OF ITS APPLICATIONS
Authors: Kruglov V. E.
Published: June 2024

A scheme of the chain method for solving a finite linear difference equation is given in this paper, and a formula for this equation’s general solution of is given. As a result, the formula for the general solution of a difference equation with constant coefficients is given. This formula depends entirely only on the coefficients of this equation. Considered solutions of linear differential equations in the form of a generalized power series, the coefficients of which are found by the chain method. As a result of permuting the elements of the power series, the solution of the equation contains a new function, namely: a hypergeometric function of fractional order.
DIRECT SOLUTION OF THE DYNAMICAL ELASTICITY PROBLEM FOR A QUARTER SPACE
Authors: Fesenko A. A.
Published: June 2024

The wave field of an elastic quarter space is constructed when one face is rigidly fixed and a dynamic normal compressive load is concentrated at the point on another face. The problem was solved by the direct application of the integral Laplace and Fourier transforms to the motion equations and the boundary conditions. This operation leads to the one-dimensional vector inhomogeneous boundary value problem with respect to unknown displacement’s transformants. The problem was solved using the matrix differential calculus. A fundamental matrix and a decreasing solution to the corresponding homogenous matrix equation were constructed with a basic residue theorem. A singular integral equation was obtained in the process by satisfying unrealized boundary condition. Weakly convergent part of the equation was summed up. The behavior of the unknown function had been analyzed based on its mechanical sense. The form of unknown function was expressed as a series on Laguerre polynomials. The original displacements’ field was found after an application the inverse integral transforms.
Solar Alpha Particle Radiation Increases Human Mortality – an example from the HIV disease mortality in the European Union
Authors: Takuchev Nikolay
Published: June 2024

A dangerous phenomenon for humanity is described. In the joint analysis of data from satellites in orbit around the Earth and from the health statistics source EUROSTAT, it became clear that, by some mechanism, flows of positively charged particles with high energy entering the Earth's orbit increase mortality on the planet's surface. The increase in mortality is in a zone of maximum risk in the Northern Hemisphere, parallel to the equator and bounded by the parallels of 30° and 50° north latitude. Examples are given for the European Union mortality from HIV disease confirming the described phenomenon. A hypothetical mechanism based on observational evidence has been proposed, according to which this dangerous phenomenon is due to solar alpha particles of high energy sufficient to overcome the atmosphere's resistance and reach the Earth's surface in a limited area of maximum death impact.
Special Aspects of Application of the Good Faith Principle in Russian Civil Law
Authors:   Postgraduate Student of the Law Faculty, Trainee Researcher of the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation, Abrosimov Anton V.
Published: June 2024

This article is devoted to the consideration of the meaning and role of the good faith principle in Russian civil law. The good faith principle is one of the well-known and widely used principles in civil law of Russia. In the text, the positions of scientists and law enforcement practice using the good faith principle are considered, the approaches developed by domestic and foreign legal doctrine in relation to it are analyzed, the legal essence of the good faith principle is examined, and a theoretical and practical analysis of this legal concept is carried out. A small comparative legal analysis on this issue is also carried out. The author's contribution to legal research on the good faith principle in law is the systematization of the theoretical positions of legal experts on this topic, and in the course of it, the positions of scientists from different countries are explored. This study uses such scientific methods as analysis and synthesis, formal legal and comparative legal method. Based on the results of the study, conclusions are drawn regarding the essence and purpose of good faith as a civil law principle, a legal concept and the corresponding evaluation category. Also, a number of recommendations for law enforcement are given.
Special Aspects of Provision of Legal Assistance by an Attorney in Medical Law
Authors:   Legal Counsel at the Moscow Healthcare Department, Degree-Seeking Student of the Department of Advocacy of the Kutafin Moscow State Law University (MSAL), Shevtsova Yulia I.
Published: June 2024

The legal aspects in the context of determining the specifics of legal assistance by a lawyer in the sphere of medical law are studied and analysed in the article, the specific of a defender’s participation in medical cases is revealed, and the recommendations concerning the qualifications of a medical lawyer are also stated.
Caseload Management as a Necessary Measure in the Organization of Judicial Activities
Authors:   Associate Professor of the Department of Public Law of the Law Faculty of the National Research University Higher School of Economics, PhD (Law), Panarina Maria M.
Published: June 2024

In this article, the author analyze the problems of managing the judicial load, rationing the judicial load. System of labor standards, as well as in other types of professional activities, is used in the judicial system to optimize and increase the productivity of the workflow. At the same time, it is correct to talk about the whole range of work carried out by the judge, and not just about procedural actions. Labor rationing should include a complete analysis of labor activity, based on an adequate assessment of the employee's contribution to the court's activities, the costs of the entire range of efforts. The author propose primary mechanisms and ways to reduce the judicial burden.