bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Gut Microbial Metabolite Trimethylamine N-oxide, Incident CKD, and Kidney Function Decline
Authors: Wang Meng , Tang W.H. Wilson , Li Xinmin S. , de Oliveira Otto Marcia C. , Lee Yujin , Lemaitre Rozenn N. , Fretts Amanda , Nemet Ina , Sotoodehnia Nona , Sitlani Colleen M. , Budoff Matthew , DiDonato Joseph A. , Wang Zeneng , Bansal Nisha , Shlipak Michael G. , Psaty Bruce M. , Siscovick David S. , Sarnak Mark J. , Mozaffarian Dariush , Hazen Stanley L.
Published: April 2024

Key Points

In community-based US adults, higher plasma trimethylamine N-oxide levels associated with higher risk of incident CKD and greater rate of kidney function decline.

Findings from our study support future clinical trials to examine whether lowering plasma trimethylamine N-oxide levels may prevent CKD development and progression.

Background

Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) is a gut microbiota–derived metabolite of dietary phosphatidylcholine and carnitine. Experimentally, TMAO causes kidney injury and tubulointerstitial fibrosis. Little is known about prospective associations between TMAO and kidney outcomes, especially incident CKD. We hypothesized that higher plasma TMAO levels would be associated with higher risk of incident CKD and greater rate of kidney function decline.

Methods

We included 10,564 participants from two community-based, prospective cohorts with eGFR ≥60 ml/min per 1.73 m2 to assess incident CKD. TMAO was measured using targeted mass spectrometry at baseline and one follow-up visit. Creatinine and cystatin C were measured up to four times during follow-up and used to compute eGFR. Incident CKD was defined as an eGFR decline ≥30% from baseline and a resulting eGFR <60 ml/min per 1.73 m2. Time-varying Cox models assessed the association of serial TMAO measures with incident CKD, adjusting for sociodemographic, lifestyle, diet, and cardiovascular disease risk factors. Linear mixed models assessed the association with annualized eGFR change in 10,009 participants with at least one follow-up eGFR measure without exclusions for baseline eGFR levels.

Results

During a median follow-up of 9.4 years (interquartile range, 9.1–11.6 years), 979 incident CKD events occurred. Higher TMAO levels were associated with higher risk of incident CKD (second to fifth versus first quintile hazard ratio [95% confidence interval]=1.65 [1.22 to 2.23], 1.68 [1.26 to 2.25], 2.28 [1.72 to 3.02], and 2.24 [1.68 to 2.98], respectively) and greater annualized eGFR decline (second to fifth versus first quintile annualized eGFR change=−0.21 [−0.32 to −0.09], −0.17 [−0.29 to −0.05], −0.35 [−0.47 to −0.22], and −0.43 [−0.56 to −0.30] ml/min per 1.73 m2, respectively) with monotonic dose–response relationships. These associations were consistent across different racial/ethnic groups examined. The association with eGFR decline was similar to or larger than that seen for established CKD risk factors, including diabetes, per 10 mm Hg of higher systolic BP, per 10 years of older age, and Black race.

Conclusions

In community-based US adults, higher serial measures of plasma TMAO were associated with higher risk of incident CKD and greater annualized kidney function decline.
Tokenized Assets on Public Blockchains: How Transparent is the Blockchain?
Authors: Watsky Cy , Liu Matthew , Ly Nolan , Orr Kurtis , Seira Amber , Vida Zach , Wu Lawrence
Published: April 2024

With the proliferation of programmable blockchains with smart contract capabilities, new blockchain technology use cases have emerged that involve the tokenization of conventional financial assets and related smart contract-based financial services. While early blockchains like Bitcoin introduced native cryptocurrencies as new asset classes, in recent years, market participants have noted the potential for blockchain and distributed ledger technologies (DLT) to be used to trade tokenized versions of bonds, money funds, and commodities, among other assets (GFMA, 2023, p. 6).
Parental Employment at the Onset of the Pandemic: Effects of Lockdowns and Government Policies
Authors: Dasgupta Kabir , Kirkpatrick Linda , Plum Alexander
Published: April 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic had disproportionate impacts on women’s employment, especially for mothers with school-age and younger children.However, the impacts likely varied depending on the type of policy response adopted by various governments. New Zealand presents a unique policy setting in which one of the strictest lockdown restrictions was combined with a generous wage subsidy scheme to secure employment. We utilize tax records to compare employment patterns of parents from the pandemic period (treatment group) to similar parents from a recent pre-pandemic period (control group). For mothers whose youngest child is aged between one and 12, we find a 1-2-percentage point decline in the likelihood of being employed in the first six months of the pandemic; for fathers, we hardly see any significant changes in employment. Additionally, the decline in mothers’ employment rates is mainly driven by those not employed in the month before the lockdown. We also find similar employment patterns for future parents who had no children during the evaluation period. This indicates that the adverse labour market impacts are not uniquely experienced by mothers, but by women in general.
Linear Factor Models and the Estimation of Expected Returns
Authors: Sarisoy Cisil , Goeij Peter de , Werker Bas J.M.
Published: April 2024

This paper analyzes the properties of expected return estimators on individual assets implied by the linear factor models of asset pricing, i.e., the product of $\beta$ and $\lambda$. We provide the asymptotic properties of factor--model--based expected return estimators, which yield the standard errors for risk premium estimators for individual assets. We show that using factor-model-based risk premium estimates leads to sizable precision gains compared to using historical averages. Finally, inference about expected returns does not suffer from a small--beta bias when factors are traded. The more precise factor--model--based estimates of expected returns translate into sizable improvements in out--of--sample performance of optimal portfolios.
Demand for U.S Banknotes at Home and Abroad: A Post-Covid Update
Authors: Judson Ruth
Published: April 2024

In principle, physical currency should be disappearing: payments are increasingly electronic, with new technologies emerging rapidly, and governments increasingly restrict large-denomination notes as a way to reduce crime and tax evasion. Nonetheless, demand for U.S. banknotes continues to grow, and consistently increases at times of crisis both within and outside the United States because dollar banknotes remain a desirable store of value and medium of exchange when local currency or bank deposits are inferior. Most recently, the COVID crisis resulted in historic increases in currency demand. After allowing for the effect of crises, U.S. banknote demand appears to be driven by the usual factors determining money demand, with no discernible downward trend. In this work, I review developments in demand for U.S. currency over the past few decades with a focus on developments since early 2020. In addition, I revisit the question of international demand: I present the raw data available for measuring international banknote flows and updates on indirect methods of estimating the stock of currency held abroad. These methods continue to indicate that a large share of U.S. currency is held abroad, especially in the $100 denomination. As shown earlier (Judson 2012, 2017), once a country or region begins using dollars, subsequent crises result in additional inflows: the dominant sources of international demand over recent decades are the countries and regions that were already heavy dollar users in the early to mid-1990s. While international demand for U.S. currency eased during the early 2000s as financial conditions improved, the abrupt return to strong international demand that began with the collapse of Lehman Brothers in 2008 has not slowed and reached new heights over 2020 and 2021. In contrast, however, the growth rate of demand for smaller denominations is slowing, perhaps indicating the first signs of declining domestic cash demand.
Quantification of tissue creatine content using capillary electrophoresis v1
Authors: Choi Jane , Bautista Angelo , Terrill Jessica , Jane Pillow J. , G Arthur Peter
Published: April 2024

The current protocol describes an alternative method for creatine quantification in biological tissue samples using capillary electrophoresis, with high separation efficiency that enables rapid analysis (<10 minutes) with low sample volumes. The protocol involves homogenization of snap-frozen tissue samples in phosphate buffer, followed by electrophoresis through a bare-fused capillary (75 µm i.d.) and measurement at 200 nm. Under the optimised conditions, we found excellent linearity in creatine standards between 6.3 – 100 µM. The overall intra-assay variability for concentrations between 6.3 – 100 µM was 1.5 %, and the inter-assay variability was 6.4 %, with a limit of detection at 6 nmol/mg protein. Variables such as the amount of sample injected or the capillary diameter could be changed to enhance the lower limit of detection. The current protocol was developed and optimised using ovine lung tissue samples, but it can be easily adapted to analyse various tissue types.
Identification of patients with orfan pathology as a result of routine creatine phosphokinase level analysis. The experience of the Krasnoyarsk Territory
Authors: Shishkina E. V.
Published: April 2024

Background. Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a severe genetic disease that usually affects boys and it is characterized by a gradual loss of muscle strength up to respiratory arrest from the childhood. Currently, there are several types of successful pathogenic therapies for the disease, but it is most effective before the age of 5 years. Thereby, the problem of verifying the diagnosis before the treatment fails to work (when treatment can still make the patient’s life easier) becomes urgent. In the Russian Federation only about 1,500 boys are diagnosed with DMD, when the calculated value is 3,500.Aim. To identify all cases of DMD among patients in the neurological departments of hospitals in the Krasnoyarsk region by measuring the level of creatine phosphokinase.Materials and methods. This study was estimated by neurologists in the Krasnoyarsk Interdistrict Children’s Clinical Hospital No. 1 and the Krasnoyarsk Regional Clinical Center for Maternal and Child Health. When elevated levels of creatine phosphokinase were detected in children, genetic analysis was performed to verify DMD.Results and conclusion. Innovate experience of Krasnoyarsk region made it possible to identify all patients with DMD in the neurological departments of the Krasnoyarsk Interdistrict Children’s Clinical Hospital No. 1 and the Krasnoyarsk Regional Clinical Center for Maternal and Child Health using cheap creatine phosphokinase level analysis. The number of patients diagnosed with DMD is now ~4 cases per year. As a result, there is a correspondence between the number of real patients and the epidemiological estimate quantity for the Krasnoyarsk region.
Immune-phenotyping and transcriptomic profiling of blood monocytes from patients with breast cancer under neoadjuvant chemotherapy
Authors: Patysheva M. R. , Stakheyeva M. N. , Grigoryeva E. S. , Iamshchikov P. S. , Larionova I. V. , Budnickya А. A. , Tarabanovskaya N. A. , Cherdyntseva N. V. , Kzhyshkowska J. G.
Published: April 2024

Introduction. Chemotherapy is a common treatment for breast cancer. Chemotherapeutic drugs effect blood monocytes, which are major contributors to cancer pathogenesis. However, to date, pro-tumor or anti-tumor programming by chemotherapy of monocytes is controversial.

Aim. To characterize changes in phenotypic and transcriptomic profiles of monocytes of breast cancer patients before and after chemotherapeutic treatment.

Materials and methods. In a cohort of 50 breast cancer patients, monocyte populations were identified based on their expression of CD14, CD16, CD163, and HLA-DR evaluated by flow cytometry before and after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Bulk RNA sequencing was adopted to explore the transcriptomic profile of CD14+ monocytes before and after treatment. After treatment, we observed an increase in the activity of signaling pathways related to lipid metabolism and intracellular transport of vesicles from the endoplasmic reticulum, against the background of a decreased response to exposure to interferon γ and interferon α, and foreign molecules (exogenous nucleic acids, viruses and bacteria).

Results. In breast cancer patients, neoadjuvant chemotherapy decreased in CD14+16+HLA-DR+ monocytes. Under cytostatic treatment, increased gene expression of MGLL, NR4A2, UCK1, YOD1, ABCA2, PAPSS2, ATP10 (log2FoldChange ≥0.8; false discovery rate (FDR) ≤0.01) and decreased gene expression of KPNA2, ERCC4, JAGN1, RUBCNL, SMYD4, B3GALT4 (log2FoldChange ≥0.8; FDR ≤0.01) were observed in monocytes of patients. Using discriminant analysis, the relative numbers of CD14+16–, CD14+16+, CD14-16+, CD14+16-HLA-DR+, CD14+16+HLA-DR+ and CD14–16+HLA-DR+ monocytes in the blood were found to be valuable in predicting response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Conclusion. Thus, association of blood monocytes with chemotherapeutic treatment in breast cancer was revealed.
Influence of dark deprivation on the ultrastructure and mitochondrial apparatus of rat hepatocytes
Authors: Areshidze David A.
Published: April 2024

BACKGROUND: Melatonin is a hormone with a wide range of biological activities. The diversity of biological regulatory effects inherent in MT involves this hormone in the formation of adaptive reactions and in the pathogenesis of various diseases. А decrease оf мelatonin secretion due to exposure to light at night is observed in a significant proportion of people. A number of previous studies have shown that melatonin deficiency, causes significant changes in the structure of the liver of laboratory animals. The state of ultrastructural features of hepatocytes, and in particular their mitochondria, under conditions of dark deprivation remains poorly understood.
AIM: To study the ultrastructural features of liver hepatocytes of male Wistar rats under conditions of 21-day dark deprivation.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was performed on 40 male Wistar rats, divided into 2 groups: group 1 was kept under a fixed light regime; group 2 was kept under dark deprivation conditions for 24 h a day. Liver samples, were analyzed using a transmission electron microscope. Micromorphometric methods were used to assess the mitochondrial apparatus of hepatocytes. Statistical processing of the results was performed in the GraphPad Prism v. 8.4.1 program (GraphPad, USA).
RESULTS: In hepatocytes of rats of II group, dark deprivation causes a transformation in the shape of the nuclei, accompanied by swelling of the cytoplasm and the presence of a significant number of lipid-containing vacuoles. Mitochondria are characterized by pronounced hyperplasia, size polymorphism, high electron density, and disordered cristae orientation. In the cytoplasm, the phenomenon of shedding of ribosomes from the endoplasmic reticulum is observed. The number of glycogen granules is significantly reduced. The studied micromorphometric parameters of mitochondria are significantly reduced relative to the control.
CONCLUSIONS: The study suggests that melatonin deficiency, resulting from dark deprivation, leads to a number of significant ultrastructural changes in hepatocytes, especially their mitochondrial apparatus.
Perspectiva de Reducir la Edad de la Responsabilidad Penal Frente a Delitos Contra el Patrimonio
Authors: Talavera Cubas Marco Antonio , Núñez Pesantes José Luis
Published: April 2024

El objetivo del presente estudio es determinar en qué medida limitar la edad de responsabilidad penal del adolescente infractor constituye el instrumento para reducir los delitos contra el patrimonio. Para lograr el objetivo, realizamos una investigación documental, cualitativa y descriptiva, utilizando datos de fuentes primarias. Además, la investigación es el resultado de una amplia revisión de artículos de revista de reconocido prestigio, como Taylor & Francis Online, Scopus, Wiley. En la que se concluye que se exige a las autoridades soluciones inmediatas ante el incremento de la delincuencia juvenil. La reducción de la edad de responsabilidad penal es un tema que cuenta con gran adhesión de la comunidad ante la incompetencia del Estado en diseñar Políticas Criminales efectivas. En este contexto, la propuesta de modificar el párrafo dos del artículo veinte del código penal se orienta como una solución para responsabilizar a los jóvenes por delitos que obtienen gran repercusión pública. Proponiéndose una política pública punitiva como alternativa para reducir los crimines. Por lo tanto, consideramos que sería jurídicamente posible reducir la edad de responsabilidad penal a través de una propuesta de modificación del código penal.
Estilos docentes: una intervención de aprendizaje basado en juegos
Authors: Velásquez Niño Ana María , Trujillo Jorge Sted , Saldarriaga Lina María , Daniel Felipe Espitia Daniel Felipe Espitia
Published: April 2024

This research article presents the results of an evaluative and mixed instrumental case study that aimed to evaluate how the pedagogical use of the game ‘¡Aye!’ could contribute to the development of authoritative teaching styles. An intervention based on game-based learning was implemented and evaluated with 13 teachers (3 men) from Bogotá, Colombia. Information was collected from a self-report questionnaire on teaching styles (before and after the intervention), observations (during the intervention) and in-depth interviews (six months after the intervention). Data from the questionnaires were analyzed through descriptive statistics, and those from the observations and interviews through qualitative content analysis. The results showed that the teachers reported an increase in their attitudes and behaviors associated with authoritative teaching styles, and that the game favored the capacity of the teachers to lead their classrooms promoting students’ participation and autonomy, as well as teachers’ positive affect towards their students. Results are discussed in light of their implications for innovation in teacher training processes related to classroom management skills.
Por uma educação científica mais reflexiva e humanista: a contribuição da visão crítica da ciência de Sandra Harding
Authors: Massoni Neusa Teresinha , Pazetto Maurício Marçal Gonçalves
Published: April 2024

This text aims to present a synthesis of the main ideas of Sandra Harding’s critical feminist epistemology of science, with the aim of integrating these ideas into science education for the development of more reflective, humanistic citizens resistant to any form of discrimination. Some contemporary epistemological views are brought into dialogue, with the goal of inspiring students and teachers in basic education to rethink stereotypical conceptions of science that still persist today. Given the complexity and theoretical scope of Harding’s analysis, we focus on one of her main works and some articles. We hope that the concepts and layers discussed here can stimulate debates about feminist thought and encourage some teachers to discuss aspects of epistemology and the history of science in their science classes, bringing different perspectives to the process of scientific evolution.
Pedagogías críticas para la enseñanza del inglés: una experiencia de formación de maestros en servicio
Authors: Vanegas Garzón Sindy Lissette , Bedoya-Ríos Nohemy Marcela
Published: April 2024

This research article proposes an exercise to systematize the training experience developed with in-service English teachers from the public sector in Bogotá. This course, titled Critical Pedagogies for ELT, focused on addressing concepts related to critical pedagogies from authors such as Kumaravadivelu (2012, 2013), Canagarajah in Porto, (2021) and Samacá (2012) who highlight the need to promote reflection processes in teachers in such a way that they can question the place of instrumentalization of their work and the possibility of promoting an exercise to decolonize the teaching of English. The experience took place between January and March 2023 and 16 teachers from the public sector participated in it. The main achievements were the reflection that the teachers built on their identities as English teachers, the openness to critical theoretical concepts and the appropriation of the systematization of experiences as a strategy that allows them to reflect on their own practice and build knowledge from it. The main difficulty for the development of the teacher training experience is related to obtaining resources (materials, spaces and times) for its implementation.
Método de identificação de perda por improvisação e uso de atividades facilitadoras: estudo de caso no Município de Aracaju, Sergipe
Authors: Teodósio Pamella Menezes , Torres Taiane Aparecida Santos , Silva Diewelly Maria , Silva Ludmila Dos Santos da , Santos Débora De Gois
Published: April 2024

No ambiente construtivo, algumas perdas são provenientes de tarefas iniciadas sem a verificação das pré-condições, o chamado making-do. Diante disso, este artigo teve como propósito aplicar o método de identificação de perdas por improvisação em adição ao uso de atividades facilitadoras em um estudo de caso. Para isso, realizou-se uma pesquisa bibliométrica e bibliográfica para maior entendimento sobre o assunto e uma visita ao estudo de caso em questão, que foi uma obra de alvenaria estrutural no Município de Aracaju. Nessa obra, foram realizados registros fotográficos do canteiro de obras, seguido de uma categorização das atividades facilitadoras e as perdas por making-do presentes nas imagens. Como resultado, obteve-se seis atividades com categorias positivas, que condiz com a visualização da obra que era organizada e bem gerenciada, uma com aspectos positivos e negativos e três com categorias negativas. Essas últimas, apresentam-se como casos encontrados provenientes da incompatibilização de informações entre projeto e sistema construtivo, da falta de verificação da execução e de mobilidade, que podem ser classificadas na categorização de perdas por making-do, como: sequenciamento, ajuste de componentes e acesso/mobilidade, respectivamente. Por fim, conclui-se que na aplicação do método de identificação de perdas em conjunto com as atividades facilitadoras os exemplos identificados em obras, em sua maioria, foram positivos e sugeridos pelos operários.
Hovenia dulcis T. extract and Glycyrrhiza glabra as natural antioxidants in Bologna mortadella
Authors: Cavalheiro Darlene , Morandin Gisiéli Carla , Schaefer Sabrina Vicentini , Amaral Adrieli Maiandra Piccinin do , Bettanin Luana , Sehn Georgia Ane Raquel
Published: April 2024

Pseudo-fruits of Hovenia dulcis T. are sweet-tasting, edible, and contain numerous nutrients and a significant amount of phenolic compounds, which could serve as a source of natural antioxidants. In this context, this study aimed to evaluate the addition of H. dulcis T. extract and licorice root extract (licrezzTM) in the formulation of Bologna-type mortadella and to investigate the inhibition of lipid oxidation during cold storage, to assess their antioxidant properties. Mortadella samples were prepared in duplicate with sodium erythorbate (control), licrezzTM (commercial extract from Glycyrrhiza glabra), and H. dulcis extract, at a concentration of 0,1%. The samples were evaluated for proximate composition, microbiological characteristics, texture profile, lipid oxidation, nitrite content, instrumental color, pH, and water activity. Mortadella with H. dulcis extract did not show significant differences from the control in terms of proximate composition, microbiological characteristics, or texture profile. However, they exhibited slightly lower, but comparable results in the Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances (TBARS) assay during the 28 days of refrigerated storage. The control and H. dulcis extract samples showed approximately a ninefold increase in TBARS values by the end of storage, while licrezzTM showed a twenty-sixfold increase. On the other hand, H. dulcis extract exhibited similar behavior to licrezzTM regarding residual nitrite content. Thus, H. dulcis pseudo-fruits extract shows potential for use as a natural antioxidant in emulsified meat products, alone or in combination with Glycyrrhiza glabra.
Phase behavior and solubility of components of the binary butyric acid – polyethylene glycol-1500 system
Authors:   Saratov State University, Sheviakhova Alisa V. , Nesterova Anastasia Yu. ,   Saratov State University, Il’in Konstantin K. ,   Saratov State University, Cherkasov Dmitry G. ,   Saratov State University
Published: April 2024

A critical review of the literature on the methods of concentration and extraction of biobutyric acid from fermentation solutions has been carried out. The best results of these processes are achieved by combining extraction with salting. It is proposed to use polyethylene glycols with different molecular weights as non-flammable and environmentally friendly extractants. The purpose of the study was to identify the phase behavior of mixtures of components, study solubility and construct a phase diagram of the previously unexplored double system butyric acid – PEG-1500 in the range −10.0–50.0°C. The transition temperatures of phase states in mixtures of components of the dual system butyric acid (BA) – polyethylene glycol-1500 (PEG-1500) in the temperature range −10–50°C have been found by the visual-polythermal method. The phase diagram above the eutectic line shows a large crystallization field of PEG-1500, while the crystallization field of BA has very small dimensions. It has been established for the first time that eutectic equilibrium is carried out in the system at −6.6°C, the solid phases of which are crystals of BA and PEG-1500, the composition of the liquid phase of eutectic (3.20 wt.% BA) has been determined. A method for concentrating BA and separating the components of the investigated system based on the crystallization of PEG-1500 during cooling of mixtures is proposed.
The effects of phenoloxidase inhibitors on the efficacy of malachite green decolorization by Azospirillum bacteria
Authors:   Institute of Biochemistry and Physiology of Plants and Microorganisms, Saratov Scientific Centre of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IBPPM RAS), Kupryashina Maria A. , Ponomareva Elena G. ,   Institute of Biochemistry and Physiology of Plants and Microorganisms, Saratov Scientific Centre of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IBPPM RAS), Saratov State Medical University named after V. I. Razumovsky, Abdrakhmanova Alena S. ,   Institute of Biochemistry and Physiology of Plants and Microorganisms, Saratov Scientific Centre of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IBPPM RAS), Saratov State University
Published: April 2024

Synthetic dyes are widely used in various branches of light industry. Due to the insufficient efficiency of industrial painting processes, a large percentage of dyes end up in the wastewater of enterprises in an unmodified form, which creates a huge risk of environmental pollution with these compounds. Triphenylmethane dyes, in particular malachite green, are toxic, allergenic and carcinogenic compounds. To date, biodegradability of triphenylmethane dyes has been shown for some bacteria and fungi producing phenol oxidase complex enzymes, including soil associative bacteria of the genus Azospirillum. Many factors are capable of inducing and inhibiting the biodegradation efficiency, in particular the enzymatic systems that are involved in bleaching processes. In the present work we studied the effects of typical deactivating agents of phenol oxidases, such as H2O2, EDTA, SDS-Na, β-mercaptoethanol, dithiothreitol, Tween, and sodium azide, on the azospirilla’s phenol oxidases activity and the ability to decolorize malachite green. It was found that Tween and sodium azide do not have an inhibitory effect on azospirillum enzymes and exhibit a total stabilizing effect on the entire complex. An inhibitory effect from 60 to 100% was noted for laccase and Mn-peroxidase activity under the action of β-mercaptoethanol, dithiothreitol and EDTA, which is directly proportional to the decolorization rate of malachite green. Compared with the latest issues on classical phenol-oxidizing enzymes, our data revealed non-typical properties of the phenol oxidase complex enzymes of azospirillum.
Analysis of natural and anthropogenic factors affecting the ability of Lepidium sativum L. to adapt to the toxicity of triazole xenobiotics
Authors:   Samara University, Isaichkin Vadim A. , Selezneva Ekaterina S. ,   Samara University, Belousova Zoya P. ,   Samara University
Published: April 2024

The effects of natural factors (temperatures +34°C and +20°C) and anthropogenic xenobiotics (1,2,4-TriH; 1-(CH3SO2)-1H-1,2,4-Tri; 4-(PhSO2)-4H-1,2,4-Tri; 4-(TolSO2)-4H-1,2,4-Tri) on watercress Lepidium sativum L. was studied. For this, 4 series of experiments were carried out. In the first two series, the effect of concentrations was studied: 0.001, 0.01, 0.1 mg/ml during germination at different temperatures for three days. It was found that the ability of the triazole compounds to inhibit the germination of watercress seeds increased with increasing concentration of the solutions. The magnitude of lipophilicity was the determining factor in their toxicity. Differences between the influence of the studied temperatures on the energy of seed germination weren’t revealed. The ability of the synthesized triazoles to inhibit the growth of watercress roots and stems increased with increasing their concentration. At the same time, their toxicity was significantly higher at the higher of the studied temperatures. The next two series examined the ability of Lepidium sativum to adapt to the toxicity of triazoles. To do this, the seeds were germinated during the day at contrasting temperatures in solutions with a concentration of 0.001 mg/ml, then they were germinated in solutions of 0.1 mg/ml for two days. It turned out that triazoles had significantly different effects on the development of the adaptive response in plants. Only 4-(PhSO2)-4H-1,2,4-Tri; 4-(TolSO2)-4H-1,2,4-Tri caused a significant development of an adaptive response, the magnitude of which also depended on the cultivation temperature. We found that the value of lipophilicity of the studied triazoles was of significant importance during their direct action, and the values of their molecular weight and molecular volume were important for the development of preadaptation.
Dauphin Louis and the University of Paris: An attempt to seize power in France in April – May 1413
Authors:   Ural Federal University, Nuzhdin Oleg I.
Published: April 2024

This article is devoted to the study of the political crisis in France at the beginning of 1413. In the course of the study, the author comes to the conclusion that the illness of King Charles VI required government reform. Two trends emerged – aristocratic (preservation of power within the Valois family, but with its transfer into the hands of the Dauphin Louis) and democratic (limitation of royal power through the admission of people of humble origin to government). In the first half of 1413, the Dauphin Louis attempted to seize power, which provoked an uprising in the capital. In turn, the University of Paris used the unrest to get Charles VI to sign a reform project in the form of the Ordinance of Cabochins. The Duke of Burgundy, Jean the Fearless, tried to maintain his influence on the king. As a result, attempts to remove the king ended in failure, and Charles VI retained the crown.
Legal Principles and Strategies to Encourage Citizens to Get Vaccinated against COVID-19 Virus
Authors: Mirmohamadi Meybodi Seyed Mostafa , Jafari Nasrollah
Published: April 2024

Background: Following the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, in some countries, mandatory vaccination programs were put to practice. However, there were widespread opposition against vaccination, which is investigated in this research.
Methods: This was a descriptive-analytical research and data collection was conducted by referring to documents, books and articles in library.
Results: With the emergence of corona virus in the world and the need to end this dangerous pandemic, various countries, including Iran's legal system, decided to implement "compulsory vaccination" mechanisms. The findings of this study indicated that the government from the perspective of various schools (even the school of individual originality) was not only allowed to legislate rules to make vaccination obligatory, but also it was expected to enact appropriate laws to create public safety.
Conclusion: According to the principles of Islamic jurisprudence and law, including the priority of collective interests over the individual, the rule of no harm, and the authority of the Supreme Leader, the government is not only authorized but also obliged to enact laws for making vaccination obligatory.
Tax Expenses as a Legal Category
Authors:   Chief Research Scientist of the Department of Financial, Tax and Budget Laws of the Institute of Legislation and Comparative Law under the Government of the Russian Federation, LL.D., Khavanova Inna A.
Published: April 2024

The article critically assesses the introduction of the category “tax expenditures” into the legislation. The author reveals the features of its content, defining this category as economic and legal, subordinated in the system of financial law. It is concluded that the definition of “tax expenditures” needs to be finalized, since it weakly orients the identification of preferences that qualify as tax expenditures with corresponding legal consequences.
The Financial Law Status of the Circle of Kindness Foundation
Authors:   Research Scientist of the Department of Financial, Tax and Budget Law, Senior Lecturer of the Department of Public Law of the Institute of Legislation and Comparative Law under the Government of the Russian Federation, PhD (Law), Voronina Kristina P. , Malysheva Anastasia A. ,   Senior Lecturer of the Department of Financial, Banking and Customs Law Named after Professor Nina I. Khimicheva of the Saratov State Law Academy, PhD (Law)
Published: April 2024

The intellectual and physical development of children is currently one of the priorities of the State. Free medical care is provided as part of the realisation of the right to health care. For many years, the problem of providing medical care children suffering from rare (orphan) diseases has existed and has not been resolved. In 2021, the Circle of Goodness Foundation was established by presidential decree to address this problem, the purpose of which is to provide medical assistance to children with serious chronic and life-threatening diseases (including rare (orphan) diseases), to provide medicines, medical devices and technical rehabilitation equipment, mainly from federal budget allocations. The article considers the financial and legal status of the Circle of Goodness Foundation, as well as the peculiarities of its creation and functioning.
Medical Informatics as a Concept and Field-Based Medical Informatics Research: The Case of Turkey
Authors: Damar Muhammet , Küme Tuncay , Yüksel İbrahim , Çetinkol Ali Emre , K. Pal Jiban , Safa Erenay Fatih
Published: April 2024

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the position of Turkey in the field of Medical Informatics and assess the general structure of research by analyzing Medical Informatics research with bibliometric methods.
Material and Methods: In this study, we conducted a bibliometric analysis of research and review articles generated between 1980 and 2023 from the Web of Science bibliometric data source, utilizing bibliometric methods through the R bibliometrix tool and VosViewer.
Results: In the field of medical informatics research in Turkey, the country holds the 27th position with 905 articles, 15,610 citations, and an impressive impact factor of 51, along with an average citation rate of 17.25 per article, based on bibliometric analysis conducted between 1980 and 2023. Notable institutions in this field include Middle East Technical University, Hacettepe University, and Selçuk University. The prominent research topics encompass "neural network(s), machine learning, support vector, health care, decision support, deep learning, EEG signals, classification accuracy," reflecting the areas of intensive investigation.
Conclusion: In Turkey, the field of medical informatics has lagged slightly behind basic engineering sciences or medical sciences. The domain exhibits a multidisciplinary structure intersecting with various engineering fields such as computer science, software engineering, industrial engineering, artificial intelligence engineering, and electronic engineering. To enhance productivity in this field, greater collaboration with other research areas can be pursued. Additionally, it is recommended to urgently establish four-year undergraduate programs specifically dedicated to medical informatics or health informatics at universities.
Razvoj prebivalstva v mestu Maribor v obdobju med letoma 1981 in 2002
Authors: Horvat Uroš
Published: April 2024

V prispevku so prikazane značilnosti prebivalstvenega razvoja v mestu Maribor med letoma 1981 in 2002. Razvoj je sledil glavnim razvojnim tendencam v drugih večjih mestih v Sloveniji, vendar je bila v obravnavanem obdobju depopulacija najbolj intenzivna prav v Mariboru. V zadnjih letih trend zmanjševanja števila prebivalstva v Mariboru kaže na letno stopnjo zmanjšanja za okoli 1,2 %. Maribor ima med večjimi mesti v Sloveniji tudi najvišji delež starega prebivalstva in najvišji starostni indeks. Zaradi vpliva različnih socialnih in ekonomskih dejavnikov se demografske razmere razlikujejo po posameznih delih mesta.
Grain Amaranth as an Alternative and Perspective Crop in Temperate Climate
Authors: Grobelnik Mlakar Silva , Turinek Matjaž , Jakop Manfred , Bavec Martina , Bavec Franc
Published: April 2024

As a consequence of globalisation and industrialisation of agriculture, global food security has become increasingly dependent on only a handful of fertilisation and energy high demanding plant species. This involution has increased the vulnerability of agriculture, reduced genetic diversity, provoked some environmental problems and impoverished the human diet. The mentioned facts stimulate the retrieving of alternative crops into the production. The present paper briefly describes crop importance, botany, nutritional value and utilisation of grain amaranth (Amaranthus spp.), one of the alternative crops discussed in the book Organic Production and Use of Alternative Crops. The immediate objective of this paper is to present information gained as a result of a national project on grain amaranth.
Tourist Farm Service Quality Assessment
Authors: Pažek Karmen , Rozman Črtomir
Published: April 2024

Farm tourism shows a structure different from agriculture, forestry, and fishery; farm tourism is expanding, labour intensive, generates an influx of money, and maintains the service base in the region. Farm tourism is one of the most important supplementary activities and generates considerable secondary income. This paper presents the developed methodology that will enable the ranking of tourist farms based on their service quality. This is accomplished through the use of the expert system based on the DEXi decision-making method. Using DEXi, the multi-criteria decision model for the assessment of farm tourism's service quality was developed. The model was applied in practice on 7 vacation farms. The data from the questionnaires completed by farm guests and hosts was used as input data in the multi-attribute model and as an arbitrary estimation for the farm. The results of the model are shown as the assessments for individual farms. Out of seven chosen farms, four achieved the best possible estimation. Two of them achieved middle estimation. For the last tourist farm, where a data deficit was present, the model showed two final possible estimations (very good or good and bad - depends on value of missing attributes).
Spremembe rabe tal med leti 1830 in 2008 na območju Movraškega Krasa in na bližnjih flišnih predelih
Authors: Ivajnšič Danijel , Škornik Sonja , Kaligarič Mitja
Published: April 2024

Kulturna krajina, ki je rezultat človekovega poseganja v naravo in njenega urejanja, se je na območju Movraškega Krasa in na bližnjih flišnih predelih slovenske Istre v zadnjih 180 letih korenito spremenila. Izstopajoč je proces zaraščanja kot posledica deagrarizacije, drobljenje in zmanjševanje njivskih površin, zaraščanje travnikov in pašnikov, po drugi strani pa širjenje urbanih površin. Spremenjene socio-ekonomske razmere so eden izmed pomembnih vzrokov za omenjene procese. V prispevku obravnavamo spremembe v rabi tal med leti 1830 in 2008 na flišni in apnenčasti podlagi raziskovanega območja. Zgodovinske podatke smo pridobili s pomočjo karte “Carta Corografica del Litorale” ter jih nato primerjali s kartiranjem habitatnih tipov po metodi PHYSIS v letu 2007/08. Primerjava procesa zaraščanja na flišni in apnenčasti podlagi je pokazala, da je ta proces bolj izražen na apnenčasti podlagi.
Rapid versus gradual external ventricular drain weaning: a general review of best practices
Authors: Merhavy Zachary I. , Ferrelle Wyatt , Vaddavalli Bhavyata , Ruxmohan Samir
Published: April 2024

Rapid versus gradual external ventricular drain (EVD) weaning methods have been widely debated, aiming to establish a standard clinical practice. The techniques used in each approach offer their own set of benefits and associated risks. Many published works continue to deliberate and dispute each other on the topic, as many believe gradual weaning is preferable due to its perceived potential to decrease ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) dependency. In contrast, rapid weaning is known to have benefits such as a reduction in ventriculostomy-associated infections. Additionally, both weaning methods have been further debated due to the perception of the risks associated, which for gradual weaning includes a longer hospital stay. This literature review explores both sides of this debate, providing pros and cons to each weaning method to better unify the disconnect within the field. Based on the current research available, it is clear that due to a lengthy and more consistent list of benefits as well as overall decreased associated risks, rapid weaning is the superior form of EVD treatment method and should become the standard for clinical practice when performing EVDs on patients suffering from aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhages.
Reducing Pain and Anxiety in the Blood Collection Unit: The Impact of the Child-Friendly Design
Authors: Semerci Remziye , Akgün Kostak Melahat , Kuşlar Saliha
Published: April 2024

Purpose:The study aimed to examine the effect of a child-friendly design on the pain and anxiety levels during blood draw in children aged 1–3 years and the satisfaction levels of their parents toward the environment in which they receive health care services.Methods:The nonrandomized study was conducted with 158 children aged 1–3 years and their parents. Data were obtained with the “Personal Information Form,” “Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability (FLACC) Pain Scale,” “Visual Analog Scale (VAS) Anxiety Scale,” and “Parental Satisfaction Scale-VAS.” Data were collected from the control group before the design and from the intervention group after the design.Results:During the blood draw, the VAS Anxiety score of the children in the intervention group was 3.17 ± 1.44 and that of the control group was 7.00 ± 2.51 (t= 246.500,p< .001). The FLACC score was 3.94 ± 1.65 in the intervention group and 7.32 ± 2.51 in the control group (t= 915.000,p< .001). The mean satisfaction scores of the parents in the intervention group for the environment where they received health care were 10.00 ± 0.00, and those of the parents in the control group were 4.85 ± 1.68 (test = −11.561,p< .001).Conclusion:The child-friendly design effectively reduced children’s pain and anxiety levels during blood draws and increased parents’ satisfaction with the environment in which health care was received.Practical Implications:Implementing a child-friendly design in blood collection units is recommended to alleviate the pain and anxiety associated with children’s blood draws, thereby enhancing parental satisfaction with the care provided.
O ensino híbrido como possibilidade de otimização de tempo no ensino universitário noturno
Authors: Bernardo Julio Cesar Oliveira , Karwoski Acir Mário
Published: April 2024

Esta pesquisa parte da premissa de que a pandemia de Covid-19, que trouxe à tona o distanciamento físico e a adoção do ensino remoto nos anos de 2020 e 2021, emergiu novo vigor ao ensino híbrido, compreendido como práticas de ensino com metodologias diversificadas e, na maior parte das situações, alternadas entre sistema presencial e on-line. Com o objetivo de levantar reflexões sobre a viabilidade do ensino híbrido no ensino universitário noturno, aborda literatura concernente e levanta discussão sobre evasão, ensino superior e ensino noturno por meio de busca na Plataforma de Periódicos da Capes, que veio ao encontro de justificar e subsidiar a necessidade de se promoverem análises e mudanças quanto à gestão do tempo no processo de ensino e aprendizagem desse alunado, marcado por necessidades especiais no que tange à dualidade entre estudo e trabalho. Por meio de fontes bibliográficas e documentais, esta pesquisa relacionou o uso do ensino híbrido na otimização de tempo para o ensino universitário noturno, demonstrando poder vir a ser uma estratégia constante para atenuar índices persistentes de evasão. Os resultados e reflexões apontam congruentes possibilidades de aplicabilidade e evidenciam alerta sobre a necessidade de se reestruturar turnos e sistemas de ensino, sobretudo o noturno.
Single-atomic-Ni electrocatalyst derived from phthalocyanine-modified MOF for convoying CO2 intelligent utilization
Authors: Wang San-Mei , Yuan Xiaoshi , Zhou Shenghua , Li Xiaofang , Han Shu-Guo , Lin Wenlie , Zheng Lirong , Ma Dong-Dong , Zhu Qi-Long
Published: April 2024

Single-atomic-site catalysts have been demonstrated as promising candidates for electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction (eCO2RR). However, the universal construction strategies need to be further developed to synthesize the desired single-atomic-site catalysts with high eCO2RR activity for feasible CO2 utilization. Herein, a novel 2-methylimidazole-phthalocyanine-Ni (IM4NiPc) coordinatively modified ZIF-8 was rationally fabricated and applied to derive the single-atomic-Ni electrocatalyst (Ni-N-C-l), which is capable of delivering much improved activity for eCO2RR, compared to the pristine IM4NiPc immobilized onto ZIF-8-derived N-doped carbon surface, and is also comparable to the best reported catalysts. The satisfied Faradaic efficiency, current density and stability of CO2-to-CO electroconversion over Ni-N-C-l are shown to originate from the verified Ni-N4 configuration, particularly, reaching a CO Faradaic efficiency of 99% in a wide potential range. Moreover, based on the outstanding eCO2RR activity of Ni-N-C-l, we successfully realized the exemplary synthesis of amide polymer materials through CO-mediated electro/thermocatalytic cascade processes, demonstrating the feasibility of utilizing CO2 for material manufacturing. This finding is expected to provide useful insight on the precise design and rational synthesis of the novel single-atomic-site catalysts for future CO2 intelligent utilization.