bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rab27b promotes lysosomal function and alpha-synuclein clearance in neurons
Authors: Scholz Kasandra , Pattanayak Rudradip , Ekkatine Roschongporn , Pair F. Sanders , Nobles Amber , Stone William J. , Yacoubian Talene A.
Published: February 2025

Alpha-synuclein (αsyn) is the key pathogenic protein implicated in synucleinopathies including Parkinson’s Disease (PD) and Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB). In these diseases, αsyn is thought to spread between cells where it accumulates and induces pathology; however, mechanisms that drive its propagation or aggregation are poorly understood. We have previously reported that the small GTPase Rab27b is elevated in human PD and DLB and that it can mediate the autophagic clearance and toxicity of αsyn in a paracrine αsyn cell culture model. Here, we expanded our previous work and characterized a role for Rab27b in neuronal lysosomal processing and αsyn clearance. We found that Rab27b KD in this αsyn inducible neuronal model resulted in lysosomal dysfunction and increased αsyn levels in lysosomes. Similar lysosomal proteolytic defects and enzymatic dysfunction were observed in both primary neuronal cultures and brain lysates from male and female Rab27b knockout (KO) mice. αSyn aggregation was exacerbated in Rab27b KO neurons upon treatment with αsyn preformed fibrils. We found no changes in lysosomal counts or lysosomal pH in either model, but we did identify changes in acidic vesicle trafficking and in lysosomal enzyme maturation and localization, which may drive lysosomal dysfunction and promote αsyn aggregation. Rab27b OE enhanced lysosomal activity and reduced insoluble αsyn accumulation. Finally we found elevated Rab27b levels in human postmortem incidental Lewy Body Disease (iLBD) subjects relative to healthy controls. These data suggest a role for Rab27b in neuronal lysosomal activity and identify it as a potential therapeutic target in synucleinopathies.

Significance statementAlpha-synuclein aggregation in Parkinson’s disease is associated with autophagic-lysosomal dysfunction, yet the molecular mechanisms underlying alpha-synuclein clearance are not well understood. We identified the small GTPase Rab27b as a novel regulator of the lysosomal clearance of alpha-synuclein. Using several alpha-synuclein models, we found that Rab27b knockdown or knockout impairs lysosomal function, increases alpha-synuclein lysosomal accumulation, and increases alpha-synuclein aggregation. Conversely, Rab27b overexpression promotes lysosomal function and reduces alpha-synuclein aggregation. We also identified defects in lysosomal enzyme maturation and localization and acidic vesicle trafficking upon Rab27b loss, which may drive lysosomal dysfunction. These findings suggest that targeting Rab27b could boost lysosomal clearance of alpha-synuclein in synucleinopathies.
The Effect of Avoidance Behavior on Generalization of Threat-Expectancy
Authors: Vandael Kristof , Zaman Jonas , Vervliet Bram
Published: February 2025

The excessive spreading (or generalization) of fear toward safe situations is characteristic of anxiety disorders. Understanding factors that contribute to this is crucial. The current study hypothesized that avoidance leads to increased generalization; relentless avoidance may blur the perceptual memory of the avoided situation, thereby increasing the perceived similarity of this situation with novel situations, increasing generalization. To test this fundamental hypothesis, we conducted a serial fear conditioning experiment, using a convenience sample primarily composed of students. During fear acquisition, a geometric shape (preCS+) predicted a colored lamp (CS+), which was followed by an aversive electrical stimulus (US). Another geometric shape (preCS-) predicted another colored lamp (CS-), which was never followed by the US. Next, one group of participants avoided the CS+ and US by performing a response on the preCS+. Another group could not avoid, but saw a signal indicating no US would follow. During generalization, new lamp colors were presented (GSs); the avoidance group was more likely to identify a stimulus as CS+ during generalization, whereas the control group was more likely to identify a stimulus as GS. Importantly, when a stimulus was identified as CS+, the avoidance group showed higher US-expectancy compared to the control group. When a stimulus was identified as GS however, the avoidance group showed lower US-expectancy. Results thus partially supported that avoidance increases generalization, as this was dependent on stimulus identification. The current study is the first to show that avoidance may contribute to excessive fear through biased memory and perception.
Jeremy’ego Benthama krytyka praw naturalnych
Authors:   Uniwersytet w Białymstoku, Doliwa Katarzyna
Published: February 2025

The purpose of this paper, which employs a historical-analytical method, is to present a Benthamian critique of the concept of “natural right”, derived from natural law. This critique, which appears already in the philosopher’s early works, grows out of the conviction that the only source of rights is state law, positive law, made by people and for the people. Bentham is convinced that an individual can only have legal rights, which are necessarily coupled with the obligation of another subject and secured by a sanction – he is led to this conclusion by, among other things, an analysis of the language of law – a special way of studying legal terms, taking into account the entanglement of these terms in sentences. Bentham’s critique of natural rights also stems from deeply utilitarian motives – natural rights, as they do not actually exist, do not provide an individual any rights, unlike the rights guaranteed by positive law. In Bentham’s view, natural right is a fiction that contributes to disagreements between those who lead debates about the law, and to conflict or even violence between those who try to implement natural rights. The eradication of the notion of natural right from the public debate about the law may be served by the codification of the law of England, which Bentham – a declared opponent of common law – sought throughout his life. The philosopher’s conviction that the effective realization of human rights can only be guaranteed by the power of state law, constitutions and statutes is shared by some modern thinkers.
Does Hand Grip Correlate with Muscle Mass and Fat Mass?
Authors: Ardha Muchamad Arif Al , Dzulkifl Dzulkifl , Kurniawan Wahyu Dwi , Budijono Agung Prijo , Putro Andika Bayu , Priantoro Bimo Bintang
Published: February 2025

Introduction: In daily routines, especially in heavy weight lifting activities, grip strength is important. This study aims to investigate grip strength with muscle mass and fat mass in the arms. Methods: Cross-sectional study with the subjects of this study were 45 students (15 females and 30 males) with male characteristics (age 19.8±0.83, height 168±6.10, weight 64.7±11.5, BMI 22.9±3.82) while in women (age 20±0.78, height 159.3±4.43, weight 57.3±11.6, BMI 22.6±4.33). Spearman correlation from SPSS version 26 with a significance level of P-value < 0.05. Finding: Based on the data, there was no significant correlation between grip strength and muscle ma and arm fat mass. Then the muscle mass of the right side with (P-value: 0.079, r: 0.265) and the left side (P-value: 0.059, r: 0.284), while the mass of fat on the right side (P-value: 0.090, r-value -0.256) and the mass of fat on the left (P-value: 0.180, r-value: -0.204). Conclusion: This study proves that there is no correlation between grip strength and muscle mass or arm fat mass.
Student-Athlete Feedback on The 2023 Student Athletic Championships
Authors: Khuddus Lutfhi Abdil , Yuhantini Eva Ferdita , Supriyanto Catur , Prabowo Suryanto Agung , Bahauddin Muhammad Arja , Sulistyana Caturia Sasti
Published: February 2025

Sports are one of the means of shaping individual and collective character and national spirit. One of the Student Athletics Championship events is a school-level athletic competition to find potential seeds in Indonesia ranging from elementary to high school students. This competition is held starting from regional qualifications to the National Championship. Participants who participated were 32,000 from more than 200 schools and the most participants came from East Java, namely 5104 participants. This study aims to determine the athletes’ thoughts on the Student Athletics Championship event in assessing the negative and positive impacts of the event. The research design used was descriptive cross-sectional with a survey method of 71 athletic athletes selected by random sampling. The study was conducted at the Thor Field, Surabaya in March-October 2024. The instrument used was a post-event survey question with 4 question perspectives, namely the level of satisfaction with the initial stage of organizing the event, belief in the benefits of participating in the event, the level of satisfaction with the final stage of assessment and reward-giving, and plans and recommendations to friends or relatives to participate in the next event. The data analysis used in this study was descriptive. The study results showed that most athletes had a positive perception of participating in the 2023 SAC event and believed they would participate and recommend the next SAC event with an average of 97% (69 athletes). Athletes who participated stated that the 2023 SAC.
Achievement Motives of North Sumatra Athletics Team in Facing Competitions
Authors: Ravsamjani Faridz , Ginting Alin Anggreni , Handoko Abdul Harris
Published: February 2025

This study aims to analyze the achievement motive factors of North Sumatra Athletics athletes in facing competitions. The subjects in this study were 28 people. This research is included in quantitative research. The data analysis technique used is descriptive statistics with the formula F percent, which is used to determine the percentage of athletes and the frequency of answers for each factor. Considering the relatively small population, this research uses the entire population as the sample in this research. The data collection method used in this research is by using a scale. The scale model used is the Likert scale. Based on the results of data analysis, from the scale of achievement motives seen from the characteristics 1) Characteristics of self-confidence and responsibility, there were 82.14% who stated that they had a sense of self-confidence and responsibility. 2) Characteristics of having a future orientation, there are 89.2% who have a future orientation. 3) Characteristics of having a high urge to act. There are 92.8% who have a high urge to act. 4) Characteristics of having creativity: It turns out that 75% have creativity. 5) Characteristics of having tough friends. It is known that 82.14% have tough friends. 6) Open nature turns out there are 89.2% who have open nature.
EVALUATION OF THERMAL DEGRADATION PARAMETERS OF POLYANILINE-BASED BISMUTH TELLURIDE NANOCOMPOSITES
Authors: ZHMUROVA A.V. , LOGINOV B.A. , ZVEREVA M.V.
Published: February 2025

The effect of bismuth telluride (Bi2Te3) nanoparticles and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on thermal destruction and surface morphology of their nanocomposites with polyaniline (PANI) at different nanophase contents (Bi2Te3 - 7.3 wt%, MWCNTs - 1.5 wt%), obtained for the first time using the mechanochemical approach, has been investigated. It is shown on the basis of the data obtained by simultaneous thermal analysis and scanning tunnelling microscopy that the introduction of inorganic nanophase has a key effect on the thermal properties of the synthesised composites PANI-Bi2Te3 and PANI-Bi2Te3-MWCNTs, as well as on their structure. The thermal stability of nanocomposites and the initial polymeric matrix, assessed from the temperature of the onset of the second mass loss stage, is the same and equal to 166 °C.
NANOSTRUCTURED FЕ-PT/C COMPOSITE ELECTRODE MATERIALS FOR SUPERCAPACITORS BASED ON THE CARBON MATRIX FROM ANTHRACITE
Authors: ZAKHAROV YU.A. , SIMENYUK G.YU. , ZYKOV I.YU. , DODONOV V.G. , PUGACHEV V.M. , SOZINOV S.A. , LARICHEV T.A. , NECHAEVA T.S. , SERGINA T.O.
Published: February 2025

Nanostructured Fе-Pt/С composites based on a carbon matrix with a filler content of 1 wt%, and the molar ratio of Pt/Fe components equal to 9 : 1 have been obtained by the joint reduction of aqueous solutions of the precursors (hydrogen hexachloroplatinate(IV) and iron(II) sulphate) with an alkaline solution of hydrazine hydrate at a temperature of 90-95 °C. The carbon matrix was mainly a microporous carbon sorbent (SAK) synthesized by the high-temperature alkaline activation of anthracite from the Kuznetsk coal basin. The formation of the Fе-Pt filler nanophase at the initial stages of synthesis has been studied. For this purpose, along with the standard synthesis method (5 min), the syntheses with the interruption of the reaction at the initial stage (after 10 and 30 s) have been carried out by introducing a dilute HCl solution cooled to a temperature of 2 °C into the reaction medium. It has been found that, according to X-ray diffraction and sorbtometry data, the formation of finely dispersed filler nanoparticles decorating the matrix surface occurs within the first 10 s, while minimal blocking of the matrix pores is observed, and the highest electrical capacity characteristics for nanocomposites are recorded. It has been determined that with an increase in process duration, the filler particles become larger, which causes a decrease in the specific surface of nanostructured composites and, as a consequence, deterioration of the electrical capacitance properties. It is shown that the highest specific electrical capacitance (1.5-1.7 times higher than the capacity for a cell with electrodes made of SAK) was achieved in an asymmetric cell with a working nanocomposite Fе-Pt/C electrode obtained under the conditions of synthesis interruption after 10 s. The reasons for these considered effects are discussed
В.А. СНЫТКО - ОСНОВАТЕЛЬ СИБИРСКОЙ ЛАНДШАФТНО-ГЕОХИМИЧЕСКОЙ ШКОЛЫ
Authors: СЕМЕНОВ Ю.М. , ВОРОБЬЕВА И.Б. , ВЛАСОВА Н.В.
Published: February 2025

Рассмотрена роль Валериана Афанасьевича Снытко (1939-2021), видного специалиста в области геохимии ландшафтов и комплексной физической географии, как основателя и руководителя сибирской ландшафтно-геохимической школы. Освещены этапы ее становления и развития. В результате многолетних исследований, проведенных В.А. Снытко и его учениками, установлены закономерности миграции, трансформации и функционирования геосистем тайги, подтайги, лесостепи и степи регионов Сибири, изучено экологическое состояние геосистем побережий оз. Байкал. Подчеркивается вклад ученого в обоснование нового научного направления в комплексной физической географии - изучение динамики вещества в геосистемах.

The role of Valerian Afanasyevich Snytko (1939-2021), a prominent specialist in the field of landscape geochemistry and complex physical geography, as the founder and leader of the Siberian landscape-geochemical school is considered. The stages of its formation and development are highlighted. As a result of many years of research conducted by V.A. Snytko and his students, the regularities of migration, transformation and functioning of geosystems of taiga, subtaiga, forest-steppe and steppe regions of Siberia are established, the ecological state of geosystems of the shores of Lake Baikal is studied. The contribution of the scientist to the justification of a new scientific direction in complex physical geography - the study of the dynamics of matter in geosystems is emphasized.
ДЕНДРОИНДИКАЦИЯ ГИДРОКЛИМАТИЧЕСКОГО СИГНАЛА В ОЗЕРНЫХ КОТЛОВИНАХ БАЙКАЛЬСКОГО РИФТА
Authors: БАЛЫБИНА А.С. , ВАСИЛЕНКО О.В.
Published: February 2025

Представлены результаты применения дендрохронологического метода индикации гелиофизического и гидроклиматического сигнала на малых временных масштабах (от десятилетий до столетий) в озерных котловинах Байкальской рифтовой зоны. Рассматривались три позиции: дендроиндикация климатических параметров в Прибайкалье; дендроиндикация динамики уровня оз. Байкал; оценка гидроклиматического сигнала в Прихубсугулье. Установлено, что значения ширины годичных колец индицируют минимумы и максимумы в величинах температуры воздуха и почвы, но при этом реконструированный ряд имеет сглаженные значения. Последний цикл повышения температуры почвы может свидетельствовать об экстремальном проявлении потепления климата, в том числе и почвы. В реконструированном ряде значений уровня оз. Байкал методом спектрального Фурье-анализа обнаружены различные циклы: от 53 до 11 лет. Следовательно, периоды с низким уровнем озера наблюдались и ранее, однако после происходит восстановление до нормальных, и даже высоких значений. В Прихубсугулье наблюдается высокий отклик в приросте лиственницы на летние температуры воздуха (июнь-август). Сопоставление индексов ширины годичных колец с колебаниями солнечной активности позволяет говорить о наличии связи между этими характеристиками.

The article presents the results of application of the dendrochronological method of indicating the heliophysical and hydroclimatic signal on small time scales (from decades to centuries) in the lake basins of the Baikal rift zone. Three items were considered: dendroindication of climatic parameters in Cisbaikalia; dendroindication of the dynamics of the Lake Baikal level; and assessment of the hydroclimatic signal in the Khubsugul region. It has been found that the values of the width of annual rings is indicative of minima and maxima in the values of air and soil temperature, but the reconstructed series gives the smoothed values. The last cycle of the soil temperature increase may be a manifestation of an extreme climate warming, including soil warming. In the reconstructed series of the Lake Baikal level values, various cycles from 53 to 11 years were detected using the spectral Fourier analysis. Consequently, formerly observed periods of a low lake level were followed by a recovery to normal and then even high values. A high response in the larch growth to summer air temperatures (June-August) is observed in the Khubsugul region. Comparison of the indices of the annual rings width with fluctuations in solar activity suggests a connection between these characteristics.
Onkohematologinėmis ligomis sergančių pacientų ligos suvokimo ir poreikių vertinimo sąsajos
Authors: Račkauskaitė Emilija , Brasaitė-Abromė Indrė
Published: February 2025

Patients with oncohematological diseases often have problems with their physical and psychological health. Assessment of illness perception and needs is important in nursing because they are interconnected and determine the effectiveness of treatment, patient well-being and satisfaction. Nurses and other professionals have an important role to play in helping patients understand their illness and related issues, and helping them meet their needs. In order to achieve a patient’s comprehensive health, it is of importance that nurses would meet not only their most necessary physiological needs, but also their psychosocial needs. The purpose of the study is to investigate the perception of the illness and the needs of patients with oncohematological diseases. A quantitative study was carried out. The instrument used is a questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of sociodemographic questions created by the authors of the study, the Short Illness Perception Scale (BIPQ), and the Needs Evaluation Questionnaire (NEQ). The study was conducted in June–September 2024. The sample consisted of 266 respondents. Descriptive data analysis was performed by using the SPSS program. The results of the study showed that patients are very concerned about their disease and feel that the disease affects their lives strongly, they believe that treatment can help them, the disease will not last a long time, they feel that they cannot control their disease, but they appreciate that they understand their disease well. The patients who participated in the study expressed their most urgent needs as those related to relationships, the communication process, and to obtaining information about future forecasts. When evaluating the correlations between the perception of the disease and the needs, it was found that, as the perception of the threat of the disease increases, the sum of the number of individual types of needs increases.
Komandinio darbo ir asmeninės lyderystės raiška slaugytojo darbe
Authors: Mikalauskienė Agnė , Rapolienė Lolita , Truš Marija
Published: February 2025

Komandinis darbas ir asmeninė lyderystė yra kertiniai veiksniai, padedantys užtikrinti tinkamą darbinę aplinką, kokybiškas paslaugas ir darbo efektyvumą. Tyrimo tikslas: išanalizuoti komandinio darbo ir asmeninės lyderystės raišką ir tarpusavio sąsajas slaugytojo darbe. Tyrimo metodika. 2024 m. vienoje iš Klaipėdos sveikatos priežiūros įstaigų atliktas kiekybinis tyrimas, kuriame dalyvavo 189 komandinį darbą dirbantys slaugytojai. Taikyti TeamSTEPPS ir Leadership practices inventory klausimynai, statistinei analizei taikytas SPSS for Windows 21.0. Tyrimo rezultatai. Dauguma slaugytojų, nepriklausomai nuo darbo stažo, komandinį darbą vertina gerai, penktadalis – vidutiniškai. Slaugytojai aukščiausiai vertina situacijos stebėjimą, komandos struktūrą ir bendravimą, žemiausiai – abipusės paramos nuostatą. Situacijos stebėjimo ir komandos struktūros veiksniai buvo patikimai geriau vertinami slaugytojų su mažesniu darbo stažu. Dauguma slaugytojų, nepriklausomai nuo darbo patirties, teigiamai vertinoa lyderystę, pusei užtenka lyderio savybių, trečdalis slaugytojų savo darbe taiko transformacinį lyderystės stilių, o daugiau nei trečdalis nelaiko savęs lyderiais. Svarbiausiais lyderio bruožais slaugytojai įvardijo atsakingumą, profesionalumą ir komunikabilumą. Labiausiai išreikšti asmeninės lyderystės veiksniai tarp slaugytojų buvo kitų drąsinimas ir pavyzdžio rodymas, mažiausiai išreikštas – įtikinimas vizija. Nustatyta, kad, didėjant respondentų darbo stažui, reikšmingai mažėja jų iššūkio procesui lyderystės veiksnys. Tyrimo metu nustatytos tiesioginės sąsajos tarp daugumos slaugytojų asmeninių komandinio darbo nuostatų ir jų lyderystės raiškos. Pavyzdžio rodymas, įtikinimas vizija ir kitų įgalinimas patikimai gerino visus komandinių nuostatų veiksnius. Išvados. Svarbiausios komandinės nuostatos yra situacijos stebėjimas, komandos struktūra ir bendravimas, o labiausiai išreikšti asmeninės lyderystės veiksniai – kitų drąsinimas ir pavyzdžio rodymas. Nustatyti patikimi tiesioginiai ryšiai tarp daugumos komandinių ir lyderystės veiksnių rodo, kad, stiprinant asmeninę lyderystę, galima daryti teigiamą įtaką komandiniam darbui, kuris pagerintų darbo rezultatus, o stiprinant komandos struktūrą, situacijos stebėjimą ir bendravimą gali būti ugdomi visi lyderystės bruožai.
Grammatical studies of the Ukrainian language in the context of slavic studies
Authors:   Institute of the Ukrainian Language of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Horodenska Kateryna
Published: February 2025

The article summarizes and characterizes the problems of studying the grammar of the Ukrainian language from the 20s of 20th century to the present, against the background of grammatical studies of Slavic studies. It has ascertained a common tendency aimed at the search for new, more perfect theoretical foundations to create complete descriptions of the grammatical system of specific Slavic languages, as named by prominent academic grammarians.
Four key differences in the development of grammatical direction in academic Ukrainian linguistics compared to Slavic studies are noted: 1) application of the functional-categorical approach to the analysis of part-language classes and morphological categories, syntactic units, and their categories, which is based on the principle “from meaning to means of its expression”; 2) in-depth study of the theory of parts of speech, as a result of which monographic descriptions of individual part-language classes of words were created, in which innovative approaches to the division of words into part-language and non-part-language classes and new classifications of parts of speech, author’s interpretations of usual grammatical problems were proposed; 3) separation of word formation into an independent section along with morphology and syntax as part of grammar, recognition of the separateness of the word formation subsystem along with morphological and syntactic subsystems.
Keywords: grammatical studies, extensive academic grammar, theory of parts of speech, functional-categorical approach, morphology, syntax, word-formation, Ukrainian linguistic, Slavic studies.
Proper names in the modern language space of Ukraine: functioning, research, codification
Authors:   Institute of the Ukrainian Language of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Verbych Sviatoslav
Published: February 2025

The article analyzes modern Ukrainian onomastic lexicography, in particular etymological, reference and translation dictionaries of onyms. The main attention is paid to two main types of onymic dictionaries – etymological and normative. Modern etymological dictionaries of oikonyms, hydronyms and anthroponyms (primarily proper personal names and surnames) are characterized. It is specially noted: 1) priority is given to historical and etymological dictionaries of oikonyms. They provide, first of all, the historical forms of a certain settlement name; a structural-semantic and etymological analysis is offered on the basis of the analysis and establishment of the historically primary name; 2) it is important to prepare and compile the «Etymological dictionary of surnames of residents of Ukraine». The author describes the features of normative dictionaries of onims that satisfy users’ requests for writing, creation, declension of a wide variety of proper names, reproduction of foreign onims in Ukrainian. These are orthographic, grammatical, word-formation dictionaries, dictionaries of the transfer of foreign onyms in the Ukrainian language. Emphasis is placed on the importance of orthographic dictionaries of anthroponyms (primarily surnames) and toponyms (primarily oikonyms) for modern speech practice, as well as derivational dictionaries of names of inhabitants of settlements and toponymic adjectives. There are many deviations from the norm in this area of functioning of proper names and derivative formations. The prospects of compiling a dictionary-handbook of the renamed names of settlements, which is important for modern Ukrainian society, are outlined.
Keywords: proper names, dictionaries of onyms, etymological dictionaries of onyms, normative dictionaries of onyms, katoikonyms, ononymous adjectives, codification of onyms.
The effects of the light spectrum on the reproductive system and epididymal semen quality of pubertal male rats
Authors: Acisu Tutku Can , Akarsu Serkan Ali , Firat Fatma , Tiraşçi Nurhan , Baykalir Yasin , Çeribaşi Songül , Şimşek Ülkü Gülcihan , Sönmez Mustafa
Published: February 2025

Light is one of the factors affecting physiological functions in living things. In the present study, reproductive functions of male rats exposed to different wavelengths of light were evaluated. For this purpose, a total of 56 male Sprague Dawley rats were used in 7 groups (n = 8 per group). Rats were exposed to light spectrum with different wavelengths for 63 days. It was observed that malondialdehyde levels were lower in the orange (2.77 ± 0.16 nmol*mL−1), red (4.27 ± 0.17 nmol*mL−1), yellow (5.14 ± 0.15 nmol*mL−1) and green (5.56 ± 0.40 nmol*mL−1) coloured light group compared to the other groups [purple (7.07 ± 0.96 nmol*mL−1), blue (7.52 ± 0.89 nmol*mL−1), white (8.59 ± 1.20 nmol*mL−1)] (P < 0.001). The lowest glutathione levels were observed in purple (86.82 ± 1.63 nmol mL−1), blue (101.25 ± 3.61 nmol*mL−1), yellow (105.44 ± 1.70 nmol*mL−1) and green (108.11 ± 0.51 nmol*mL−1) coloured groups, respectively. The lowest sperm motility percentage was found in blue (29.16 ± 11.40), purple (56.25 ± 3.36), green (62.50 ± 4.91) and white (69.58 ± 5.51) coloured light groups compared to the other groups (P < 0.001). Epididymal sperm density decreased significantly in rats exposed to purple, orange and blue light (P < 0.001). The abnormal sperm ratio was higher in the blue and white light group compared to the other groups (P < 0.001). Histological examinations showed that tubulus seminiferus contortus diameter and germinal cell thickness decreased significantly in the purple light treatment (P < 0.001). As a summary, the application of purple and blue light has negative effects on the reproductive function in rats.
Evaluation of Pineapple (Ananas comosus L.) Varieties at Teppi, South Western Ethiopia.
Authors:   Teppi Agricultural Research Center, P. O. Box 34, Teppi, Ethiopia., Shamil Alo , Abebe Gezahegn ,   Melkassa Agricultural Research Center, P. O. Box 436, Adama, Ethiopia., Dereje Geremew ,   Teppi Agricultural Research Center, P. O. Box 34, Teppi, Ethiopia., Wakjira Getachew ,   Teppi Agricultural Research Center, P. O. Box 34, Teppi, Ethiopia.
Published: February 2025

Three varieties of pineapple were brought from Jimma Agricultural Research Center plant tissue culture and evaluated during 2015/2016 main cropping season at Teppi. The experiment was carried out to test the adaptability of improved pineapple varieties and to identify the best high yielding and pest and disease resistant/ tolerant variety/ies for the target area. The mean yield of tested varieties was ranged from 19.8tonne/ha for Queen to 70.4 tonne/ha for Smooth cayenne. The mean days to flowering was 406 days for smooth cayenne and 455 days for sugar loaf and Queen. The mean plant height was 82.33 cm for Queen to 113.93 cm for sugar loaf. The mean leaf length was 58.13 cm for Queen and 91.93 cm for Sugar loaf. The mean fruit length was 10.7 cm for Queen and 14.57 cm for Smooth Cayenne. The mean fruit diameter was 10.05 cm for Queen and 11.68 cm for Smooth cayenne. The mean average fruit weight was 1.01 kg for Queen and 1.65 kg for sugar loaf. Sugar loaf (69.7tonnes/ha) and Smooth cayenne (70.4tonne/ha) had highest mean yield. Therefore, Sugar loaf and Smooth cayenne are more preferable for farmers at the study area due to their good characteristics described above.
Living Condition at Bottom of the Pyramid: Case of Oil Palm Farmers around Presco Nucleus Estates in Edo State, Nigeria
Authors:   Cambridge Assessment International Education Programme, Word of Faith Schools, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria, Famous Baa Adade (PhD )
Published: February 2025

The study examined the living condition of oil palm farmers at the base of the pyramid (BOP) located around Presco nucleus estates in Edo and Delta States, Nigeria. A two stage sampling procedure was used to sample 242 oil palm farmers. Using an absolute poverty line of $2.00 per person per day, the BOP households were identified in the dataset of the respondents based on their income levels. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data. The findings indicated that about 55% of the respondents live at the bottom of the economic pyramid, earning per capita income less than $2(N400) per day. About 76% did not have additional sources of income outside farming, and 15% accessed credit while only about 40% applied fertilizer on their farms. Those at first two income quintiles did not have savings; their per capita expenditures were in excess of per capita income by about 58% and 32% respectively. About 59% of the consumption was on food and non-alcoholic drinks. Moreover, about 58% the BOP oil palm farmers were food poor, with majority also poorly asset-endowed, implying that the cultivation of oil palm did not seriously improved the living condition of the growers despite its potential to enhance income and alleviate poverty. The findings have policy implications. First, BOP farmers not participating in the Presco out-grower scheme, not belonging to cooperative societies and/or not having accessed credit though such opportunities might have been available can be encouraged through their village heads to belong in order to access facilities capable of enhancing their productive capabilities and income. The large expenditure on food and non-alcoholic drinks provide marketing opportunity for products consumed by BOP farmers.
A Study on Employee Motivation towards Organization Performance
Authors:   Associate Professor, Sri Sairam Institute of Management Studies, Sri Sairam Engineering College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, Dhayalan V , Kuralarasi S ,   Scholar, Sri Sairam Institute of Management Studies, Sri Sairam Engineering College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Published: February 2025

Employee motivation is the inspiration. As a result, every organization in the modern world strives to run
its human resources department to maintain the motivation of its representatives. In this instance, they have been
implementing some of the administration's beliefs. The level of inspiration exhibited by representatives or corporate
work may be used to evaluate how they promote themselves. Inspiration can be crucial to achieve expert achievement in
every financial year with the least amount of effort. Representative inspiration questions about papers reveal that
motivation is what motivates employees nowadays.
Motivation is inextricably linked to individual traits. The characteristics and requirements of the average worker seem
to have changed significantly beginning in the 1970s. The expectations made on representatives by their managers
progressively decreased as Protestant industrious attitudes in the economy and people's knowledge increased.
A Study on Customer Satisfaction towards Mutual Funds
Authors:   Assistant Professor, Sri Sairam Institute of Management Studies, Sri Sairam Engineering College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, Muthukumar V , R R Tamilmani ,   Scholar, Sri Sairam Institute of Management Studies, Sri Sairam Engineering College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Published: February 2025

This study investigates the factors influencing customer satisfaction among mutual fund investors, with a
particular focus on the Indian financial landscape. Utilizing a mixed-method approach, the research analyzes both
quantitative and qualitative data gathered from a diverse group of investors. The findings reveal that the primary
determinants of satisfaction include the perceived performance of mutual funds, service quality, transparency in
communication, and the availability of liquidity options. Additionally, the study highlights the significant role of tax
benefits and the expectation of high returns as motivating factors for investment. To further validate these findings, an
F-test was conducted to assess the significance of the identified factors, confirming strong correlations with overall
customer satisfaction. The results indicate that improvements in service quality and transparency could substantially
enhance investor satisfaction levels. By understanding these dynamics, mutual fund companies can refine their service
offerings, improve investor engagement, and foster long-term customer loyalty. This research contributes to the existing
literature on investment behavior and provides practical insights for mutual fund firms aiming to meet the evolving needs
of their clients.
Analysis on GenAI for Source Code Scanning and Automated Software Testing
Authors:   Health Care Service Corporation, USA, Sivathapandi Praveen , Wali Girish ,   CITI Bank, USA
Published: February 2025

The fundamental purpose of software testing is to develop new test case sets that demonstrate the
software product's deficiencies. Upon preparation of the test cases, the Test Oracle delineates the expected program
behavior for each scenario. The application's correct functioning and its properties will be assessed by prioritizing test
cases and running its components, which delineate inputs, actions, and outputs. The prioritization methods include
initial ordering, random ordering, and reverse ranking based on fault detection capabilities. software application
development often used a test suite, which was less well recognized as a suite for validating software correctness. Each
test case set in the suite had distinct instructions and goals based on the system and its configuration that were
evaluated. This article presents a Generative AI artificial neural network model for automated software testing based on
particle swarm optimization. Generative AI is the method by which computers use existing data, including text,
audio/video files, images, and code, to produce new material. An artificial neural network (ANN) is a complex adaptive
system capable of altering its internal structure in response to the information it processes. Precisely manipulate the
connection and its weight to achieve optimal accuracy. The PSO is a heuristic, population-based global optimization
method
Learning styles in physiotherapy and occupational therapy students: an exploratory study
Authors: Olivier Benita , Jacobs Lizelle , Naidoo Vaneshveri , Pautz Nikolas , Smith Rulaine , Barnard-Ashton Paula , Ajidahun Adedayo Tunde , Myezwa Hellen
Published: February 2025

Background: Learning styles of health care professionals are unique and tend to be profession- specific. This study aimed to compare the learning styles of undergraduate occupational therapy and physiotherapy students and to determine the relationship between preferred learning styles, demographic factors, and academic performance.Method: The study design was a cross-sectional, descriptive study. Undergraduate occupational therapy and physiotherapy students completed a self-developed questionnaire and the Grasha-Reichmann Learning Style Inventory.Results: A total of 313 students with a mean age of 19.6Â±1.58 years participated in this study. The results showed that students preferred the collaborative (75%) learning style, with the first-year students scoring significantly higher in the collaborative style (3.97Â±0.48; p<0.001). The male students (2.67Â±0.65) scored higher in the competitive learning style than female students (2.20Â±0.62; p=0.001, d=0.757). The competitive learning style, when controlling for sociodemographic variables, is a significant predictor of an increase in academic performance in English language (B=2.28, [0.60-3.96]), physics (B=3.62, [0.22-7.02]) and overall academic performance (B=2.12, [0.34-3.90]).Conclusion: The predominant preferred learning styles are the collaborative and participant styles. The application in the teaching space should be carefully considered for the selection of teaching approaches and activities. This study points to the Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy programmes need to align to the collaborative style and respond with a variety of teaching methods. The associations shown between preferred learning styles and demographic variables point to the need to pay attention to diversity when selecting teaching approaches and activities.
The challenges experienced by practitioners from under-resourced early childhood development centres in South Africa: a single site study
Authors: Visser Marieta , Grossmark Jessica , KrÃ¼ger Susann , Smith Carmen , Van Zyl Marzel , Willemse Zuandré , Wright Caitlyn
Published: February 2025

Background: The occupation of education prepares children for adulthood. Each child has the right to education, which has the power to end intergenerational cycles of poverty and inequality. However, poor access to and quality of education at early childhood development (ECD) centres continue to prevail in marginalised communities in South Africa.Aim: This study aimed to identify the challenges experienced by ECD practitioners and coordinators regarding the quality of their ECD programme.Methods: A qualitative, descriptive enquiry was conducted with six purposively sampled participants from an ECD organisation in South Africa. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with practitioners from under-resourced ECD centres from Bloemfontein, rural towns, and the organisation's ECD coordinator. Audio recordings of the interviews were transcribed verbatim. Deductive content analysis was used to analyse the data.Results: Four themes were identified from interview data: (i) teaching and learning; (ii) management and leadership; (iii) ECD environment; and (iv) ECD legislation and policies. Practitioners indicated that they wanted to improve their qualifications and have access to a contextually relevant programme with appropriate resources.Conclusion: If the expressed challenges were addressed on an inter-professional collaborative platform, the quality of this ECD service could be improved.Â Keywords: teaching and learning; early childhood development; ECD policy and legislation; ECD practitioners; ECD programme; occupational therapy; South Africa
ECG Diagnosis Bidirectional Ventricular Tachycardia
Authors: Rajeev Bhardwaj , Saurav Mittal , Taniya Pruthi
Published: February 2025

Bidirectional Ventricular Tachycardia (BVT) is a rare type of Ventricular Tachycardia (VT) and shows the beat-to-beat variation of the QRS axis and has high risk of sudden cardiac death. We present one such case, admitted during COVID epidemic.
The Effect of Codon Reassignment on the Properties and Structure of the Mitochondrial Proteins of the Baikal Amphipods
Authors: Yudinceva A.V. , Romanova E.V. , Sherbakov D.Y. , Bukin Y.S.
Published: February 2025

There are more than ten mitochondrial genetic codes are known in eukaryotes. Genetic code changes also called as codon reassignment may occur through the mechanism including tRNA gene remolding (changing tRNA gene identity through mutations in the anticodon). Our recent study showed that mitochondrial genomes of some amphipod species from Lake Baikal possess tRNA genes copies which underwent remolding along with appropriate canonic tRNA genes. Three cases of tRNA gene remolding were revealed in mitochondrial genome of Acanthogammarus victorii and by one case were shown in mitochondrial genomes of Eulimnogammarus vittatus and Gmelinoides fasciatus. In this work, we performed the analysis of theoretical codon reassignment influence on physicochemical features (molecular weight, average weight of amino-acid residue, isoelectric point, average protein charge) and spatial structure of mitochondrial CYTB protein of aforementioned amphipod species based on amino acid substitutions according to tRNA remolding cases. In silico translation of CYTB gene sequences of three amphipod species was made using standard genetic code, a code with partially reassigned codons, and the completely reassigned genetic code. Physicochemical and spatial features of obtained proteins were compared at species level and between each species. Comparative analysis of proteins obtained both with partially and completely reassigned codons allowed us to conclude that evolutionary distances within proteins estimated at intraspecific level are less than those obtained at the interspecific level, appeared during evolutionary divergence. It was also revealed that codon reassignment leads to changes in both the physicochemical features of the protein and its spatial structure, however these changes were also significantly less than those calculated for proteins in different species of amphipods. Alterations in physicochemical features and spatial structure of CYTB depends on number of reassigned codons as well as on the difference in the properties of the amino acids being replaced. The biggest impact of codon reassignment was shown in A. victorii. Isoelectric point of CYTB protein sets altered from 5.5 to 8.9, and protein charge altered from –3.5 to 9. We suppose that environment conditions in Lake Baikal facilitate appearance of redundant tRNA genes and their remolding in mitochondrial genomes of amphipods.
Revisiting the Memoryless Property - Testing for the Pareto Type I Distribution
Authors: Ndwandwe Lethani , Allison James , Santana Leonard , Visagie Jaco
Published: February 2025

We propose new goodness-of-fit tests for the Pareto type I distribution. These tests are based on a multiplicative version of the memoryless property which characterises this distribution. We present the results of a Monte Carlo power study demonstrating that the proposed tests are powerful compared to existing tests.As a result of independent interest, we demonstrate that tests specifically developed for the Pareto type I distribution substantially outperform tests for exponentiality applied to log-transformed data (since Pareto type I distributed values can be transformed to exponentiality via a simple log-transformation).Specifically, the newly proposed tests based on the multiplicative memoryless property of the Pareto distribution substantially outperform a test based on the memoryless property of the exponential distribution.The practical use of tests is illustrated by testing the hypothesis that two sets of observed golfers' earnings (those of the PGA and LIV tours) are realised from Pareto distributions.
A New Extended Rayleigh Distribution with Applications of COVID-19 Data
Authors: Mir Aadil Ahmad , Ahmad S. P.
Published: February 2025

In this manuscript, we proposed a new extension of the Rayleigh distribution named as MTI Rayleigh distribution (MTIRD) that provides better fits than the Rayleigh distribution and some of its known generalizations. Various properties of the proposed distribution, including moments, moment generating function, hazard rate, conditional moments, Bonferroni and Lorenz curve, mean residual life, mean waiting time, Renyi entropy and order statistics are derived. Maximum likelihood estimation procedure is employed to estimate the unknown parameters. An extensive simulation study is carried out to illustrate the behaviour of MLEs on the basis of Mean Square Errors. The flexibility of the new distribution is assessed by applying it to two real data sets of COVID-19 mortality. The comparative behaviour of MTIRD with Rayleigh distribution, Power Rayleigh distribution, Transmuted Rayleigh distribution, Exponentiated Rayleigh distribution, Weibull Rayleigh distribution provided the evidence that it outperforms the other competing distributions based on Akaike Information Criterion, Bayesian Information Criterion, Akaike Information criterion Corrected, and other goodness of fit measures.