bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Milimani Law Courts Organizational Culture on Knowledge Management and Governance for Effective Administration of Justice
Authors: Luvuga Joyce , Samita Zacharia , Nalugala Reginald
Published: February 2025

Most organizations today regard knowledge as a strategic resource. However, the institutional culture in most organizations does not support the process of knowledge creation, storage, sharing and usage. This study sought to investigate the effect of Milimani Law Courts (MLC) organizational culture on Knowledge Management (KM) and governance for effective administration of justice in MLC in Nairobi, Kenya. The study targeted 180 staff members of Milimani Law Courts. Purposive sampling technique was used to select a sample of 124 respondents.  The study adopted a mixed method approach.    Interview schedule and semi-structured questionnaire were used to collect primary data. Quantitative data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), while qualitative data was analyzed using Thematic Content Analysis (TCA), and findings presented in Tables and figures. Results revealed that the Judiciary has attempted adoption of an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) culture to improve KM and governance for effective administration of justice, through the adoption of case management systems. However, judgments are not stored in the case management systems.  Additionally, findings indicated that the current staff motivation culture does not reward employees for sharing knowledge with colleagues, and that KM and governance aspects are not recognized. Consequently, knowledge creation, archiving and sharing is neglected. The study also found that the structure of various departments is not open for sharing knowledge, limiting employees’ interaction with one another. The study recommends the judiciary to adopt a culture that encourages creation and sharing of knowledge through staff rewards, use of ICT, democratic leadership style, and open spaces.
Influence of Academic Achievement Perception on Choice of Training Programmes in Public Secondary Schools in Kenya.
Authors: Thuranira M. , Kariuki M. , Ngumi O.
Published: February 2025

The choice of a career is very important because it affects one’s entire life. To enable students make this crucial decision, career guidance is offered in secondary schools in Kenya to help the students realise their potential, develop their abilities and select training programmes they want to pursue after secondary school consequently leading to appropriate careers. Through career guidance, secondary school students are assisted to comprehend their academic achievements and identify training programmes and careers that they qualify for to ensure suitable selection. Yet there are many students who fail to qualify for the training programmes they had chosen. While others try to change the training programmes they had chosen immediately after admission or after a period of study in the university, indicating a dissatisfying choice. This study was carried out to establish the perceptions of students and career counsellors about the influence of academic achievement on the choice of training programmes in public secondary schools in selected counties of Kenya.  The study employed a descriptive survey research design. The study areas were Mombasa, Meru and Kiambu counties of Kenya. The target population was 31,145 form four students in 394 public secondary schools. Multistage sampling procedure was used to select a sample of 395 students from 33 schools.  In addition 33 career counsellors were purposively sampled. The data was collected using two questionnaires and was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Descriptive and inferential statistics (mean and percentages) were used in data analysis. The findings of the study were that academic achievement was perceived to influence the choice of training programmes.
Factors Influencing Rational Drug Use in Public Hospitals among Doctors and Pharmacists in Meru County
Authors: Dennis W. , Mwangi E. , Mutwiri T.
Published: February 2025

Rational use of medicines requires that patients receives affordable, right drug and dose for the adequate period of time. Irrational drug use is influenced by lack of essential drugs, lack of training and weak implementation of policies. The purpose of this study was to assess the factors that influence rational drug use among doctors and pharmacists in public hospitals in Meru County. Specific objectives were to examine how staff awareness on policy guidelines, management practices, product selection and inventory management influence rational drug use. A cross-sectional research design was adopted for this study. The sample size was 102 doctors and pharmacists in the public hospitals in Meru County. A Likert based questionnaire was used to collect data. There was a significant relationship between staff awareness (r=.232, p<0.05) and inventory management (r=.324, p<0.05) on rational drug use. Coefficient of determination (R) of 0.402 was obtained compared to overall R2 of 0.162 and this explains 40.2% of total variations that explained factors that influence rational drug use among the healthcare workers in Meru County. The ANOVA findings (p<0.05) shows that there was correlation between the predictors variables and the dependent variable RDU. The study recommends the following to the Hospital Management Team i) to offer training on rational drug use, ii) offer support supervision and appraisals iii) Constitute active Drugs and Therapeutics Committees iv) to form procurement committee with all stakeholders to strengthen inventory management.
Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine among Cancer Patients in Meru County, Kenya
Authors: Monicah K. , Mbugua G. , Mburugu R.
Published: February 2025

Cancer is among the leading causes of death globally.Despite advancing technology in conventional methods of cancer diagnosis and treatment, access to services remains a big challenge especially in the developing countries.Out of desperation, patients may be tempted to use Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) to improve their health outcomes.However, there is minimal data in Kenya and specifically Meru County on use of CAM among cancer patients.The study aimed to assess the level of use, sources and perceived effects of CAM among cancer patients in Meru County.A descriptive cross-sectional study design was adopted in this study.Data was obtained from 117 participants through a researcher administered questionnaire.Data was cleaned, coded and keyed manually into the statistical package of social sciences (SPSS) version 23.Data was then summarized using means,percentages, frequency tables and measures of dispersion.The results showed that almost half of the respondents (47.9%) were using CAM mainly to cure cancer (78.6%). here was no association between use of CAM and the socio-demographic factors (p>0.05).The common CAM methods used included; spiritual therapy (37.5%), vitamins and supplements (26.5%) and local/traditional herbs (19.6%).Friends (55.4%) and family members (53.6%) provided the major sources of information on CAM.Pastors and local chemists were the most common sources of CAMs used. Improved health (n=30, 53.6%) and ability to cope with the disease (n=16, 28.6%) were the most frequent perceived benefits reported by CAM-users. None of the CAM-users reported any adverse/side effects experienced after use of CAM.Conclusively, results depicted a significant percentage of cancer patients in Meru County use CAM; mainly spiritual therapy and vitamins and mineral supplements. Health care provider should pay close attention to use of CAM while taking history from cancer patients and advice accordingly.Meru county government should regulate all CAM products that are accessible to the public and ensure the providers are well trained and registered.
Aflatoxin Analysis in Staple Food Cereals and Assessment of Households’ Awareness on its Management in Tharaka-Nithi County, Kenya
Authors: Marangu Victor Mwiti , Gisemba Beatrice , Juma Rose
Published: February 2025

Aflatoxins are naturally occurring harmful toxins produced by the fungi Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus. Aflatoxin contamination is a cross-boundary and multifaceted problem that requires participation and involvement of both private and public stakeholders. Agriculture is the main economic activity of Tharaka-Nithi County, yet it is among the hot spots of aflatoxin in Kenya. The county is extremely vulnerable to climate-related risks; however, there is lack of local data on aflatoxin contamination to inform interventions chiefly due to lack of local research, testing facilities, and qualified personnel. The main purpose of this study was to analyze cereals used as staple foods for aflatoxin contamination and to evaluate households’ awareness on the overall management of aflatoxin, and identify factors contributing to aflatoxin contamination. Eighty one samples were collected and laboratory analysis conducted using ELISA Kit. Aflatoxin levels in 25.8% of samples was above the Kenyan standards of 10ppb with 17.2% exceeding 20ppb. Aflatoxin levels in 44.4% of market samples exceeded 10ppb. The level of aflatoxin contamination was associated with the type of cereals and grains (p<0.05). There was no difference in mean level of aflatoxin in cereals from the study areas (p>0.05). Furthermore, there was no difference in mean level of aflatoxin in the cereals and grains collected from the markets and households (p>0.05). Majority of the farmers (84.7%) were aware of aflatoxin. However, detailed information on its management was scanty and inconsistent. Awareness creation on aflatoxin contamination to all stakeholders in the cereals value chains is needed for their concerted efforts in its control. Recognition of these barriers together with the opportunities for aflatoxin containment, the researcher hoped to improve the knowledge on aflatoxin management, health, and economic well-being of households and by extension the national food security.
Research on China's environmental governance based on GA-BP neural network and TOPSIS method
Authors: Zhang Zherong
Published: February 2025

Regarding the construction of a mathematical model between air quality index (AQI) and different pollutant concentrations, firstly, a genetic algorithm was used to optimize the BP neural network model with PM2.5, PM10, , CO,  and  as the main air pollutants, and then the air pollution in Beijing from 2015 to 2021 was used as the validation object, and it was found that the fitted R-squared on the basis of 20% test set is greater than 0.95 or above, and finally the Spearman correlation model is used to analyze the main pollutants associated with AQI index to provide solutions for the subsequent treatment of air pollution.
Regarding the construction of a comprehensive water quality evaluation model, firstly, the weight integration method based on the moment estimation theory was used to assign subjective and objective weights to the indicators, and dissolved oxygen, temperature, turbidity, ammonia nitrogen, permanganate index and hydrogen ion concentration index were used as indicators for evaluating water quality, and then the optimal weights of each indicator were derived as 7.766%, 9.509%, 37.962%, 19.666%, 17.726% and 7.7371%, and finally the comprehensive evaluation of water quality in each city was carried out by TOPSIS method.
Regarding the construction of urban noise pollution monitoring network, firstly, a genetic algorithm based on Gaussian kernel support vector machine was used to optimize the model, and Guangzhou was used as the validation object to solve the Gaussian response surface with the building density as the noise index, and the optimal number of monitoring points of 10 was obtained by using genetic algorithm for optimization.
 
**************** ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS****************
Thanks for the data support provided by the NAIS database and the China-PCS, as well as the project funding of Vehicle Measurement Control and Safety Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province (QCCK2021-011) and the State Administration of Market Administration Project (202248).
Digitisation of Legal Processes and Its Impact on the Right of Access to Justice in Zimbabwe
Authors: Maringe Noah , Mushanguri Tatenda
Published: February 2025

Like many jurisdictions, Zimbabwe has adopted digitisation of legal processes. While the concept is progressive and modern, it limits the right of access to justice that is protected by Section 69 of the Zimbabwean Constitution. This article explains the concept of access to justice and its origins. It then brings to light various aspects of digitisation that limit the right of access to justice in Zimbabwe. The article also examines different international instruments ratified by Zimbabwe that promote the right of access to justice. Furthermore, it shows the developments that have been made by jurisdictions such as South Africa, Kenya, Russia, and China pertaining to digitisation of their legal processes. The main aim of showing the developments that have been made by the aforementioned jurisdictions is to look at opportunities that Zimbabwe has by drawing lessons from their different electronic case management systems. Also, regardless of the strides that the selected jurisdictions have made in accessing justice through digitisation of legal processes, they still face challenges that Zimbabwe is facing or might potentially face. Therefore, in the final part, recommendations are made on how the right of access to justice may be realised in Zimbabwe considering digitisation of legal processes
Socio-Ecological Conundrums Towards The Wise Use Of Wetlands In The Harare Metropolitan Province, Zimbabwe
Authors: Musundire Moreblessing , Katsande Ncube Roseline
Published: February 2025

One of the critical concerns faced by African cities in the modern epoch are disappearing urban wetlands because of the construction of infrastructure. This is predominantly the case in cities that are expanding their urban areas at a rapid rate. Wetlands are currently being studied for their potential role in the food mitigation process, in addition to supporting urban sustainability in terms of water quality and availability. It is undisputable that the protection of Harare’s urban wetlands is an investment that is well worth making. The main objective of this study i s t o analyse views, attitudes and perceptions of residents and relevant authorities towards wetlands in the Harare Metropolitan Province. This is to promote the wise use of wetlands for sustainable development. Human activities and poor policy implementation are the causes of wetland depletion. The study targeted the Harare Wetlands Trust, Monavale and Cleveland management, residents living on or near the wetland areas and representatives from the Environmental Management Agency (EMA). The study deployed a qualitative research approach and utilised the face-to-face Interview guide, semi-structured questionnaires and field observations for data collection and was guided by the wise use and ecological restoration concepts. Results highlighted that there is an existing policy on wetlands, most stakeholders are aware of wetlands and their benefits and are of the view that they should be conserved. Although they are viewed as important ecosystems, they are utilised in unsustainable manners. Human activities have been persuaded by economic challenges, a lack of policy implementation, lack of awareness programmes and education. There is need to change perceptions and attitudes towards wetlands. The study concluded that wetlands are an important part of the ecosystem, and they offer a crucial role, especially to the hydrological system of the city. The study recommended that the Environmental Management Act needs to be revised in line with on-going developmental activities, gazetting of existing wetlands to identify those under threat, reclaim or restore lost or degraded wetlands for sustainable development to be attained.
Abortion Among Pregnant Teenage Girls A Case Study Of Cherima, Marondera, Zimbabwe
Authors: Mutuwira Kudzai
Published: February 2025

The notion of why pregnant teenage girls abort is a very controversial topic in the sense that it is rooted in the discourse of pro-life and prochoice. At the same time, abortion is forbidden in a patriarchal society as they view women’s role as giving birth. Thus, this research study sought to explore the reasons pregnant teenage girls abort. Qualitative research methods were used to gather relevant data. The methods utilised include semi-structured personal interviews and key informant interviews that pinpointed why pregnant teenage girls abort and the consequences faced after abortion. The experiential research study made use of the symbolic interactionism theory to relate to how society views the discourse of abortion. Thematic analysis of the data revealed that the reasons for abortion by pregnant teenage are a result of societal norms and values. The study findings agreed that pregnant teenage girls aborted because of different experiences they are facing in their community
Planning And Delivery Of Projects Under The Impact Of Covid-19 Some Reflections On Zimbabwe
Authors: Chirisa Innocent , Musara Enock , Muneta Zebediah
Published: February 2025

This article is a desktop study that seeks to discuss ethical considerations in the planning and delivery of projects under the impact of COVID-19, engaging evidence from Zimbabwe. The global impact of COVID-19 on project delivery has affected plans, costs and project timelines. In Zimbabwe, project planning has been affected by unsettled national and local politics. The COVID-19 pandemic might be another factor that has affected the delivery of projects and effective planning in the country. Several projects that started before the pandemic failed to be completed on the planned times lines and even in post-COVID-19 era, they are still in progress. The key cause of delays which will be discussed herein, includes re-allocation of financial resources to fight during and after the pandemic in monitoring construction projects in Zimbabwe.
Succession Planning in International Humanitarian Organisations in South Sudan
Authors: MUSUKUTWA ALFRED , MASUNDA THEBETH R , CHIWESHE MANASE K
Published: February 2025

The article explores succession planning in international humanitarian organisations in South Sudan, as succession planning is central to business continuity. For organisations to function successfully and sustainably, there is need for a clear leadership succession plan wherein the incumbent prepares their replacement by imparting the knowledge and vision of the organisation. Business leadership was used as the conceptual framework guiding the study. The study utilised a qualitative methodology with a bias towards the descriptive research design. Purposive sampling was used as a sampling method. The study used in-depth interviews and narrative data analysis for data collection. A review of the literature was drawn from facts from books, journal articles and policy documents. For data analysis, the study used textual analysis. The study found that humanitarian organisations use the identification of pivotal positions to plan succession. The findings show that humanitarian organisations use a system of assessing job performance for planning succession. The study indicated that humanitarian organisations utilise strategic leadership development to plan succession.
Voices Of School Development Committee Members On School Governance And Digitalisation Of Education In Zimbabwe
Authors: Chimbunde Pfuurai , Musaniwa Onias , Chingwanangwana Bernard , Jakachira Godfrey
Published: February 2025

The outbreak of COVID-19 in 2019 and the subsequent travel restrictions instituted by the World Health Organisation to curtail the spread of the virus saw the disruption of educational activities and the management thereof, affecting the role of the School Development Committees (SDCs). The number of SDC meetings to approve procurement and purchase of educational materials was decimated, henceforth school heads made sole decisions in contrast to the requirements of fiscal policies. This qualitative case study investigates how the work of SDCs in eight Zimbabwean schools is affected during COVID-19 and the transition to the fourth industrial revolution (4IR), and then establishes tenable alternatives to the conditions. To gather information, document analysis and semi-structured interviews were used. Schools are far from embracing the 4IR despite that SDCs must conduct all school governance online, just like any other business. The study suggests that educational institutions should spend money on developing digital infrastructures and educating SDC members on digital capabilities. This study adds conversation to scholarship on the use of the Internet of Things {IoT) in school governance.
Slum Dwellers Survival Strategies Of Magamba In Hatcliffe Extension, Harare
Authors: Chanza Tinashe , Mafuku Shamiso , Mpahlo Rumbidzai
Published: February 2025

Housing for low-income people has been a big issue in many countries and Zimbabwe is not an exception. This challenge has been a major contributor to Zimbabwe‟s expanding slum population, with thousands of people living in slum areas. This study draws on the experiences of Magamba in Hatcliffe Extension, Harare, to understand the origins, demographics and survival strategies of slum dwellers. A quantitative research approach was employed. Household surveys were conducted as part of the data collection process in that semi-structured questionnaires were used. Observations using photographic or pictorial aids were done. The study suggests that impressions of poverty in Magamba correspond to a lack of access to fundamental requirements such as adequate shelter, water, sanitation, security of tenure, jobs and foodstuffs. The community's coping strategies emphasize that, despite the problems they face, residents are strong and have skills that they use to improve their livelihoods. In addition to creating a multi-stakeholder platform for resolving the housing delivery challenges, the study suggests slum transformation and political will where politics is not above institutions. These could be solutions to the rising number of slums that are developing and growing in the country.
Agropolitan-based Area Development: Linking Rural Production Spaces to Urban Regional Markets
Authors: CHAGWEDERA EDSON , MANHIMANZI GIFT
Published: February 2025

To integrate rural production areas with urban regional markets, this study investigates the idea of agropolitan-based area development. This approach's possible advantages, difficulties and consequences for sustainable development are all examined. The study identifies important ideas and arguments around agropolitan development through a thorough examination of literature and case study analysis. The case studies of agropolitan-based area development in Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Kenya and Brazil are employed and provide valuable insights into the practical implementation and outcomes of this concept. These case studies on agropolitan development highlight the diverse approaches, challenges and impacts of this concept in different contexts. These examples demonstrate the potential of agropolitan-based area development in enhancing rural-urban linkages, promoting economic growth and addressing social and environmental challenges. The results underline the necessity of integrated policies and approaches that close the gap between rural and urban areas, promote economic development and consider social and environmental issues.
A Review on Territorial Development Planning: Putting the Great Zimbabwe World Heritage Site into Perspective
Authors: CHATIZA KUDZAI , CHIRISA INNOCENT , MAPHOSA AARON , NYEVERA TARIRO
Published: February 2025

Cultural heritage stands as a vital driver for sustainable development in the 21st century, embodying historical, symbolic and socio-economic values. This literature review scrutinises the Territorial Development Plan for the Great Zimbabwe World Heritage Site Area, examining the convergence of heritage conservation and local socio-economic development. Through an extensive review of literature from diverse sources, including books, journals, Google Scholar and government policy documents, this study employs textual analysis to elucidate the relationship between heritage policies and urban planning. The analysis reveals a paradigm shift in recognising heritage as a key contributor to national Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and a catalyst for sustainable economic progress. The study highlights the necessity of addressing legal gaps and ambiguities to safeguard tangible and intangible aspects of Zimbabwe's cultural legacy. It draws valuable lessons from global, regional and local perspectives, emphasising the integration of heritage policies into urban planning as crucial for fostering global resilience and sustainable development. Major recommendations include collaborative efforts on local, national and international fronts to integrate heritage policies into urban planning, ensuring equitable growth and preservation of cultural identity. The conclusion underscores the intricate relationship between cultural preservation and sustainable development, advocating a holistic and inclusive approach.
Human Capital Projects And Programme Development In The Spirit Of Industrialisation And Improved Service Delivery In Zimbabwe
Authors: Zimunya Nicole , Ndemo Nyasha , Mpahlo Rumbidzai
Published: February 2025

Recent discussions have stressed the need for improved human capital development (HCD) in Zimbabwe and other developing nations on the grounds that, a nation's human capital is vital for future technological breakthroughs, international competitiveness and sustainable economic development towards the improvement in service delivery. This research study explains the importance of human capital, programme and project development strategies towards improving service delivery in the country. The article adopts a desktop study in formulating the relevant meaning of HCD, project and programme development towards effective service delivery in the country. The key findings and emerging issues indicate that investing in HCD is a key factor in developing projects and programmes in the spirit of industrialisation towards improving service delivery in Zimbabwe as it promotes entrepreneurship, job creation, wealth creation, youth empowerment, peaceful society and economic development.
Kiedy utworzenie nowej spółki nie będzie kwalifikowane jako utworzenie nowego przedsiębiorcy (joint venture)? Praktyczne rozważania dotyczące problematyki joint venture w polskim prawie konkurencji
Authors: Lenart Joanna , Kaczyńska Teresa
Published: February 2025

Celem niniejszego artykułu jest analiza problematyki związanej z utworzeniem wspólnego przedsiębiorcy (joint venture) w polskim prawie ochrony konkurencji, w tym analiza stanów faktycznych, które – zdaniem autorek – w praktyce Prezesa UOKiK powinny lub nie powinny być kwalifikowane jako utworzenie wspólnego przedsiębiorcy. W niniejszym artykule autorki przedstawiają rozważania dotyczące problemów i rozbieżności definicyjnych w polskim i unijnym prawie konkurencji,
mających istotne znaczenie w praktyce. Ponadto, szczegółowo omówiono kwestię obowiązku zgłoszenia zamiaru koncentracji polegającej na utworzeniu wspólnego przedsiębiorcy w polskim prawie konkurencji oraz wynikające z niej trudności praktyczne, z którymi na co dzień muszą mierzyć się przedsiębiorcy. Poczynione rozważania stanowią asumpt do omówienia alternatywnych możliwości kwalifikacji prawnej utworzenia nowej spółki i rozważań na temat potrzeby zapewnienia jak największej pewności prawnej w akresie stosowania przepisów dotyczących utworzenia
joint venture. W podsumowaniu niniejszego artykułu zawarte zostały wnioski i postulaty de lege
ferenda dotyczące polskich przepisów antymonopolowych regulujących tworzenie wspólnych
przedsiębiorców.
„Tajemniczy klient” jako nowe narzędzie w zakresie pozyskiwania dowodów praktyk naruszających zbiorowe interesy konsumentów
Authors: Mandrosz Ewa
Published: February 2025

Artykuł poświęcony jest omówieniu instytucji „tajemniczego klienta” (mystery shopper), która zostanie wprowadzona do ustawy o ochronie konkurencji i konsumentów z dniem 17 kwietnia 2016 r. Instytucja ta pozwoli na dokonywanie czynności zmierzających do zakupu towaru w toku kontroli, z możliwością utrwalenia tych czynności za pomocą urządzeń rejestrujących obraz lub dźwięk bez informowania kontrolowanego. Stosownie do oczekiwań ustawodawcy – ma ona stanowić narzędzie w zakresie pozyskiwania dowodów praktyk naruszających zbiorowe interesy konsumentów. W artykule autorka podejmuje próbę dokonania oceny omawianej instytucji, zwłaszcza w kontekście realizacji celów, dla których została powołana. Jednocześnie wskazuje na pewne wady przyjętych rozwiązań.
Samoregulacja działalności reklamowej w Polsce – szanse oraz zagrożenia dla ochrony konkurencji i konsumentów
Authors: Kolasiński Marcin
Published: February 2025

Artykuł porusza problemy samoregulacji działalności reklamowej w Polsce. Praktyka pokazuje, iż realizacja celów ochrony konsumentów nie idzie w parze z zagwarantowaniem ochrony praw przedsiębiorców pozostających poza systemem samoregulacji. W związku z tym poddano analizie istotę samoregulacji i wymogi niezbędne do uznania jej za zgodną z powszechnie obowiązującymi przepisami prawa. W opracowaniu przedstawiono także argumenty za tym, iż są podstawy do oceny działalności samoregulacyjnej w świetle przepisów o ochronie konkurencji i konsumentów oraz przepisów o zwalczaniu nieuczciwej konkurencji.
Autopromocja dostawców audiowizualnych usług medialnych
Authors:   Uniwersytet Jagielloński, Czarny-Drożdżejko Elżbieta
Published: February 2025

Artykuł przedstawia regulację zjawiska autopromocji w Konwencji o telewizji ponadgranicznej, dyrektywie o audiowizualnych usługach medialnych oraz na gruncie polskiej ustawy o radiofonii i telewizji. Autopromocja jest zjawiskiem złożonym i może przybrać różną formę – reklamy produktów dostawcy usług medialnych, zwiastunów, a niekiedy nawet zapowiedzi. Ustawodawca nie jest do końca konsekwentny w stosowanym nazewnictwie, jak również nie różnicuje tego zjawiska. Autopromocja jest formą przekazu handlowego, a więc takiego który z założenia ma zachęcić do promocji towarów czy usług nadawcy. Do autopromocji stosuje się wszystkie przepisy regulujące formę i treść przekazów handlowych. Szczegółowo została w Polsce unormowana kwestia ogłoszeń nadawcy, zawierających jedynie informację o jego audycjach oraz o dodatkowych produktach uzyskiwanych bezpośrednio z audycji. Szczególne problemy związane są z autopromocją dostawców usług audiowizualnych na żądanie. Artykuł ukazuje złożoność problematyki autopromocji, problemy interpretacji przepisów o autopromocji oraz konieczność wprowadzenia zmian w ustawie o radiofonii i telewizji.
Rozprowadzanie programów jako usługa telekomunikacyjna
Authors:   Wydział Zarządzania Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego, Piątek Stanisław
Published: February 2025

Artykuł poświęcony jest skutkom uznania usługi rozprowadzania programów za usługę telekomunikacyjną, co nastąpiło w wyniku orzecznictwa sądowego i zmiany stanowiska regulatora rynku. Zmiana nastąpiła w celu zapewnienia abonentom takiej ochrony, jaka przysługuje użytkownikom usług telekomunikacyjnych, choć wbrew utrwalonej, literalnej wykładni przepisów unijnych i krajowych. Poza oczekiwanymi zmianami dotyczącymi relacji prawnych między dostawcą usług a abonentem, ujawniły się również nieoczekiwane skutki nowej interpretacji, dla których brak odpowiedniego uzasadnienia celowościowego. Artykuł analizuje uboczne skutki tych zmian, które wykraczały zasadniczy cel nowej interpretacji oraz proponuje rozwiązania powstałych problemów, w szczególności dotyczących opłaty telekomunikacyjnej oraz pokrywania kosztu usługi powszechnej.
Archiwa audiowizualne telewizji publicznej – od sejfu do kreatywności
Authors: Kroplewski Robert
Published: February 2025

Artykuł podejmuje zagadnienia prawne efektywnego sposobu udostępniania audycji audiowizualnych stanowiących zasób archiwalny pozostający w dyspozycji TVP po transformacji. Porusza też kwestię tzw. odżywania praw autorskich wobec dawnych produkcji ze skutkiem rozszerzającym na polu Internetu. Jako sposób dla uwzględnienia potrzeby odbiorców dotyczących dostępu do dóbr kultury audiowizualnej i zapewnienia warunków dla „Otwartego Kodu Rozwoju” artykuł omawia formy licencji właścicielskich typu Creative Commons. Konwergencja mediów uzasadnia także postawienie tezy o zanikaniu różnic między polami technicznymi nadania i publicznego udostępnienia w Internecie przekazów audiowizualnych i tworzeniu się jednego rynku audiowizualnych usług medialnych. Całość opracowania zmierza do zaprezentowania prawnej ścieżki otworzenia sejfu archiwów dla przyszłej kreatywności i debaty publicznej w sferze kultury z poszanowaniem prawa własności.
Jeżeli nie możesz ich pokonać, dołącz do nich zgodnie z prawem – konsorcjum przetargowe w świetle ustawy o ochronie konkurencji i konsumentów
Authors:   Katedra Prawa Gospodarczego Publicznego Uniwersytetu Szczecińskiego, Salitra Małgorzata
Published: February 2025

Artykuł prezentuje wybrane, problematyczne kwestie związane z oceną konsorcjów przetargowych w świetle prawa ochrony konkurencji. Rozważania przedstawione w niniejszym artykule służą ustaleniu granic pomiędzy dozwolonym konsorcjum przetargowym, mogącym rodzić korzyści dla gospodarki a zakazaną współpracą konsorcjantów, prowadzącą do zniekształcenia konkurencji. Konsorcjum tworzone przez przedsiębiorców przystępujących do przetargu może bowiem zostać uznane na gruncie ustawy o ochronie konkurencji i konsumentów za zakazane porozumienie ograniczające konkurencję, jeśli jego celem lub skutkiem jest ograniczenie konkurencji.
La substance et la procédure : l’effritement d’une distinction classique et ses conséquences pour le contrôle judiciaire
Authors: Bouchard Kevin , Popescu Monica
Published: February 2025

Alors que certaines cours de révision considèrent qu’aucune norme de contrôle ne s’applique en contrôle judiciaire d’une décision administrative sur la procédure, d’autres appliquent soit la norme de la décision correcte, soit la norme de la décision raisonnable, ou encore, au cours des dernières années, les normes de contrôle généralement applicables en appel. Cette absence de consensus révèle les traces, au sein de la jurisprudence, de deux visions concurrentes de la légalité. L’une, plus formelle et centrée sur l’autorité, sépare nettement la substance et la forme du droit et peut être associée à la norme de la décision correcte. L’autre, plutôt substantielle et axée sur la justification de l’action gouvernementale, reconnaît les liens qui unissent la procédure et la substance et peut être rattachée à la norme de la décision raisonnable. Le présent article montre que l’arrêt Vavilov de la Cour suprême du Canada consolide le passage, entamé vingt ans plus tôt dans l’arrêt Baker, d’une culture de l’autorité à une culture de la justification et que, ce faisant, il rend inappropriée l’application de la norme de la décision correcte aux questions d’équité procédurale. Pour accroître la cohérence du droit du contrôle judiciaire, il convient désormais, conformément à cette lente évolution jurisprudentielle, de reconnaître que la révision des questions de procédure s’effectue selon la même analyse contextuelle de la raisonnabilité que celle des questions sur le fond.
Mutational enhancement of Aspergillus niger Tiegh. for higher cellulase production comparable to Trichoderma species in solid-state fermentation
Authors: Singh Harjeet , Janiyani Komal , Gangawane Ajit
Published: February 2025

The present study aimed to obtain a fungal isolate and enhance its cellulolytic activity through various mutational techniques, focusing on achieving results comparable to those obtained from extensively researched isolates of Trichoderma sp. An Aspergillus niger Tiegh. strain was obtained from environmental samples collected in Vadodara, Gujarat, and its cellulolytic-enzyme production was assessed and found to be akin to Trichoderma viride and Trichoderma reesei. Utilizing rice straw in solid-state fermentation (SSF), this research evaluated optimal conditions for enzyme activity at diverse pH and temperatures for both wild-type and mutant strains modified employing NTG (Methylnitronitrosoguanidine), EMS (Ethyl Methane Sulphonate), and UV radiation treatments. NTG-induced mutations significantly enhanced enzyme yields, particularly at pH 5 and 27°C. The NTG-treated A. niger mutants exhibited remarkable increases in endoglucanase activity, achieving 30.36 Units/mL, which corresponds to an increase of 22.91 Units/mL (4.12-fold) compared to the untreated strain. Similarly, T. viride and T. reesei showed significant increases to 29.18 and 25.58 Units/mL, respectively. Also, A. niger NTG-treated mutants showed avicelase activity of 245.73 ± 14.9 Units/mLat pH 5 and 27°C, compared to untreated strains with 85.62 Units/mL, representing a 2.43-fold increase. Moreover, the addition of cellulose significantly boosted enzymatic activity, increasing endoglucanase activity in A. niger from 4.76 Units/mL to 6.29 Units/mL.The findings of this study highlight the capacity of NTG-mutagenesis to enhance the production of cellulase. This opens up encouraging prospects for optimizing the utilization of enzymes in industrial settings and promoting sustainable waste management via bioconversion technologies.
In Silico Analysis of CD40 Mutations and Their Implications for Quinoline-benzoic acid derivatives Based Therapy in Graves' Disease
Authors:   Department of Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia, Yunaini Luluk , Kristanty Diyah ,   Clinical Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Jakarta 10430,, Indonesia, Sari Puji ,   Department of Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta 10430, Indonesia, Dwira Surya ,   Department of Medical Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia, Suryandari Dwi Anita ,   Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Bustami Arleni ,   Undergraduate Programme, Faculty Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta 10430, Indonesia
Published: February 2025

Graves' disease is an autoimmune disorder in which the CD40-CD154 interaction plays a critical role in T-cell activation. In this study, in silico methods were employed to analyze the binding interactions of quinoline-benzoic acid derivatives (NSB, FSB, and NQB) with the CD40 receptor and to investigate the implications of specific CD40 mutations for drug efficacy. In this reseach conducted by molecular simulation approach with molecular docking Results Mutation analysis of CD40 identified alterations in key residues, such as R203C, which may impact ligand-independent activation and downstream TRAF binding, crucial for signal transduction. These findings highlight the therapeutic potential of quinoline-benzoic acid derivatives for targeting CD40 in Graves' disease, particularly in the context of receptor mutations. The integration of molecular docking, mutation analysis, and pharmacokinetic profiling provides a comprehensive framework for designing effective CD40-targeted therapies.
Genetic diversity affects ecosystem functions across trophic levels as much as species diversity, but in an opposite direction
Authors: Fargeot Laura , Poesy Camille , Lefort Maxim , Prunier Jérôme G , Krick Madoka , Verdonck Rik , Veyssière Charlotte , Richard Murielle , Legrand Delphine , Loot Géraldine , Blanchet Simon
Published: February 2025

Understanding the relationships between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning stands as a cornerstone in ecological research. Extensive evidence now underscores the profound impact of species loss on the stability and dynamics of ecosystem functions. However, it remains unclear whether the loss of genetic diversity within key species yield similar consequences. Here, we delve into the intricate relationship between species diversity, genetic diversity, and ecosystem functions across three trophic levels —primary producers, primary consumers, and secondary consumers— in natural aquatic ecosystems. Our investigation involves estimating species diversity and genome-wide diversity -gauged within three pivotal species-within each trophic level, evaluating seven key ecosystem functions, and analyzing the magnitude of the relationships between biodiversity and ecosystem functions (BEFs). We found that, overall, the absolute effect size of genetic diversity on ecosystem functions mirrors that of species diversity in natural ecosystems. We nonetheless unveil a striking dichotomy: while genetic diversity was positively correlated with various ecosystem functions, species diversity displays a negative correlation with these functions. These intriguing antagonist effects of species and genetic diversity persists across the three trophic levels (underscoring its systemic nature), but were apparent only when BEFs were assessed within trophic levels rather than across them. This study reveals the complexity of predicting the consequences of genetic and species diversity loss under natural conditions, and emphasizes the need for further mechanistic models integrating these two facets of biodiversity.
Mistargeted retinal axons induce a synaptically independent subcircuit in the visual thalamus of albino mice
Authors: McCracken Sean , McCoy Liam , Hu Ziyi , Hodges Julie , Valkova Katia , Williams Philip R , Morgan Josh
Published: February 2025

In albino mice and EphB1 knock out mice, mistargeted retinal ganglion cell (RGC) axons form dense islands of axon terminals in the dorsal lateral geniculate nuclei (dLGN). The formation of these islands of retinal input depends on developmental patterns of spontaneous retinal activity. We reconstructed the microcircuitry of the activity dependent islands and found that the boundaries of the island represent a remarkably strong segregation within retinogeniculate connectivity. We conclude that, when sets of retinal input are established in the wrong part of the dLGN, the developing circuitry responds by forming a synaptically isolated subcircuit within the otherwise fully connected network. The fact that there is a developmental starting condition that can induce a synaptically segregated microcircuit has important implications for our understanding of the organization of visual circuits and for our understanding of the implementation of activity dependent development.
Immunogenicity and safety of a live-attenuated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidate based on multiple attenuation mechanisms
Authors: Suzuki Okutani Mie , Okamura Shinya , Gis Tang , Sasaki Hitomi , Lee Suni , Kashiwabara Akiho , Goto Simon , Matsumoto Mai , Yamawaki Mayuko , Miyazaki Toshiaki , Nakagawa Tatsuya , Ikawa Masahito , Kamitani Wataru , Takekawa Shiro , Yamanishi Koichi , Ebina Hirotaka
Published: February 2025

mRNA vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 were rapidly developed and were effective during the pandemic. However, some limitations remain to be resolved, such as the short-lived induced immune response and certain adverse effects. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop new vaccines that address these issues. While live-attenuated vaccines are a highly effective modality, they pose a risk of adverse effects, including virulence reversion. In the current study, we constructed a live-attenuated vaccine candidate, BK2102, combining naturally occurring virulence-attenuating mutations in the NSP14, NSP1, spike, and ORF7-8 coding regions. Intranasal inoculation with BK2102 induced humoral and cellular immune responses in Syrian hamsters without apparent tissue damage in the lungs, leading to protection against a SARS-CoV-2 D614G and an Omicron BA.5 strains. The neutralizing antibodies induced by BK2102 persisted for up to 364 days, which indicated that they confer long-term protection against infection. Furthermore, we confirmed the safety of BK2102 using transgenic (Tg) mice expressing human ACE2 (hACE2) that are highly susceptible to SARS-CoV-2. BK2102 did not kill the Tg mice, even when virus was administered at a dose of 106 plaque-forming units (PFUs), while 102 PFU of the D614G strain or an attenuated strain lacking the furin cleavage site of the spike was sufficient to kill mice. These results suggest that BK2102 is a promising live-vaccine candidate strain that confers long-term protection without significant virulence.
U-TSS: a novel time series segmentation model based U-net applied to automatic detection of interference events in geomagnetic field data
Authors: Shan Weifeng , Wang Mengyu , Xia Jinzhu , Chen Jun , Li Qi , Xing Lili , Zhang Ruilei , Wang Maofa , Zhang Suqin , Zhang Xiuxia
Published: February 2025

With the rapid advancement of Internet of Things (IoT) technology, the volume of sensor data collection has increased significantly. These data are typically presented in the form of time series, gradually becoming a crucial component of big data. Traditional time series analysis methods struggle with complex patterns and long-term dependencies, whereas deep learning technologies offer new solutions. This study introduces the U-TSS, a U-net-based sequence-to-sequence fully convolutional network, specifically designed for one-dimensional time series segmentation tasks. U-TSS maps input sequences of arbitrary length to corresponding sequences of class labels across different temporal scales. This is achieved by implicitly classifying each individual time point in the input time series and then aggregating these classifications over varying intervals to form the final prediction. This enables precise segmentation at each time step, ensuring both global sequence awareness and accurate classification of complex time series data. We applied U-TSS to geomagnetic field observation data for the detection of high-voltage direct current (HVDC) interference events. In experiments, U-TSS achieved superior performance in detecting HVDC interference events, with accuracies of 99.42%, 94.61%, and 95.54% on the training, validation, and test sets, respectively, outperforming state-of-the-art models in accuracy, precision, recall, F1-score, and AUC. Our code can be accessed openly in the GitHub repository at https://github.com/wangmengyu1/U-TSS.
Modelling asynchrony in phenology considering a dynamic representation of meteorological variables
Authors: de la Torre Cerro Rubén , Misra Gourav , Gleeson Emily , Serbin Guy , Zimmermann Jesko , Cawkwell Fiona , Wingler Astrid , Holloway Paul
Published: February 2025

Shifts in the timing of phenological events across many taxa and ecosystems are a result of climate change. Within a trophic network, phenological mismatches between interlinked species can have negative impacts for biodiversity, ecosystems, and the trophic network. Here we developed interaction indices that quantify the level of synchrony and asynchrony among groups of species in three interlinked trophic levels, as well as accounting for a dynamic representation of meteorology. Insect first flight, vegetation green-up and arrival of migrant birds were the phenological indicators, obtained from a combination of spatially and temporally explicit species observations from citizen science programmes and remote sensing platforms (i.e., Landsat). To determine phenological shifts in interlinked taxa we created and applied several phenological indices of synchrony-asynchrony, combining information from the phenological events and critical time windows of meteorological variables. To demonstrate our method of incorporating a meteorological component in our new interaction index, we implemented the relative sliding time window analysis, a stepwise regression model, to identify critical time windows preceding the phenological events on a yearly basis. The new indices of phenological change identified several asynchronies within trophic levels, allowing exploration of potential interactions based on synchrony among interlinked species. Our novel index of synchrony-asynchrony including a meteorological dimension could be highly informative and should open new pathways for studying synchrony among species and interaction networks.