bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Insufficiency/deficiency of vitamin B12 in patients in the endocrinological practice
Authors: Mokrysheva N. G. , Shestakova M. V. , Ametov A. S. , Antsiferov M. B. , Bakulin I. G. , Vavilova T. V. , Galstyan G. R. , Demidova T. Y. , Dzgoeva F. K. , Karonova T. L. , Lukina E. A. , Mkrtumyan A. M. , Petunina N. A. , Ponomaryov R. V. , Suponeva N. A. , Sukhareva O. Y. , Shamkhalova M. S.
Published: July 2024

On March 20, 2024, an interdisciplinary meeting of the Expert Council on the current problem of B12 insufficiency/deficiency and the prevalence of this condition among endocrine patients was held at the Endocrinology Research Centre (Moscow). The purpose of the meeting was to assess the role of B12 deficiency in reducing the quality of life of patients of different groups and to outline a strategy for the management of patients with vitamin B12 insufficiency/deficiency by endocrinologists.

The resolution of the expert council was developed by leading specialists in various specialties.
Gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry multiresidual method for determination of pesticide residues in honey
Authors: BAŠA ČESNIK Helena , KMECL Veronika
Published: July 2024

In our laboratory we introduced and validated a new analytical method for determination of environmental pesticide residues in honey. The extraction was conducted using acetone, petroleum ether and dichlorometane. The determination was conducted using gas chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. Practical usage of method was analyses of 31 samples of Slovenian honey. 33 active substances (pesticides) were sought. The insecticide cypermethrin was the only active substance found in three samples. The active substances sought were not found in 90.3 % of the samples analysed. The risk assessment showed that no unacceptable risk is expected for consumers. The results were compared with those from the literature. We revealed that honey from Slovenia contained a lower portion of positive samples per active substance sought as in Italy, comparable as in Estonia and Spain, comparable to higher as in Poland and higher as in Egypt.
Mitochondrial DNA analysis of the the Yugoslavian Shepherd Dog – Sharplanina and its phylogenetic relationship within and between breeds
Authors: MORINA Rifat , ROBAJ Avni , SOPJANI Mentor
Published: July 2024

The Yugoslavian Shepherd Dog – Sharplanina belongs to the group of Molosser type dog breeds and is an autochthonous dog breed in southwestern Kosovo and northwestern North Macedonia. This breed is characterised by its genetic diversity in the mitochondrial DNA. In our research we found nine haplotypes grouped into three main clades A, B and C, with distribution rates of 43 %, 43 % and 14 %, respectively. Our analyses show that the “Sharplanina dog” exhibits a remarkable genetic heterogeneity, which makes it very difficult to determine its origin and to correlate the haplotypes with the geographical location of the collected samples. The geographical proximity of the breed’s origin to the habitat of the extinct ancient Molossian hound and the similarities of its haplotypes with certain dog breeds in Europe and East Asia make it a very interesting breed for further research.
Hibernacula of greater horseshoe bat Rhinolophus ferrumequinum (Schreber, 1774): data from four deep caves in Slovenia
Authors: Zamolo Aja , Delić Teo
Published: July 2024

In this paper, we present data on not yet surveyed hibernacula of the greater horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum) from three deep caves in SE Slovenia (Čaganka, Kaščica, Topli vrh 5) and one in W Slovenia. We found between 161 and 255 overwintering greater horseshoe bats in the caves, in addition to six other species. These data show that some deep caves are still unexplored for bats, although bat sightings have been reported in the past. Targeted survey of caves that are harder to access or those from which larger number of bats have been reported from could contribute not only additional distribution data, but also data on higher concentrations of hibernating bats.
The choice of blood transfusion strategy in severe traumatic brain injury
Authors: Oleniuk D. V. , Tsarov O. V.
Published: July 2024

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains one of the leading causes of long-term disability, especially among young and middle-aged people. One of the main directions of treatment for patients with TBI is to prevent the development of secondary brain damage due to systemic dysfunction. Anemia occupies an important place among them. Anemia is considered a marker of illness severity in critically ill patients and is included in the list of parameters for risk prediction in intensive care units. However, the relationship between anemia and adverse outcomes in patients with TBI is controversial.
Aim. The purpose of the work is to analyze the effect of anemia on the course of severe TBI, to determine the position of anemia in the pathophysiological mechanisms of brain damage, the development of blood transfusion-associated complications, to evaluate different blood transfusion strategies (liberal and restrictive) and their impact on treatment results, taking into account individual tolerance to anemia.
Studies suggest that the restrictive transfusion strategy could be useful in reducing complications and length of hospital stay. However, the lack of clear evidence for optimal hemoglobin levels as a trigger to initiate blood transfusions reinforces the need for further clinical studies. The use of multimodal neuromonitoring allows to evaluate the latest approaches to assessing individual hemoglobin thresholds. These methods could help in identifying patients at increased risk of complications and determining optimal strategies to manage anemia.
Conclusions. The problem of tolerance to anemia in patients with severe TBI remains a controversial topic, and determining hemoglobin thresholds for blood transfusion in this group of patients requires further studies, special attention should therefore be paid to an individual approach to resolving the issue of red blood cell transfusion, in particular, integrating clinical status of a patient and concomitant pathology. The risk of possible brain damage worsening associated with anemia due to deterioration of cerebral oxygenation should always be weighed against the risk of developing transfusion-associated complications.
Turning a digital vision into reality
Authors: Marshall Stephen , Flutey Jonathan
Published: July 2024

The potential of technology to reinvent higher education has recently resurged in popular consciousness with the articulation of the idea of the Massive Open Online Course (MOOC). At Victoria we are avoiding radical technocratic transformation by engaging a process of collective sense-making and progressive capability building to better understand and take advantage of the affordances of technology. We outline our six-year strategy of organizational collaboration and change intended to help a research-focused university evolve and grow its capability, agility and aspirations for technology in learning and teaching, and discuss the progress to date.
Virtual classroom technology
Authors: Pascoe Elizabeth , Karasmanis Sharon
Published: July 2024

Online learning environments are increasingly viewed as a valid and beneficial means of facilitating learning in the higher education setting. Blackboard Collaborate is an online collaborative learning (OCL) technology that can be used as a virtual classroom in the distance education setting to facilitate knowledge of systematic literature searching. The technology allows for learning pedagogical principles that encourage collaborative engagement. The authors discuss how they developed and delivered instruction on systematic database searching for health literature to distance education nursing Masters’ students. An online self-reporting survey was administered to determine student knowledge, and to gauge student experience of using this technology.
Embedded use of iPads to enhance student engagement and retention in technical education
Authors: Halstead Alison
Published: July 2024

This paper focusses on attracting and retaining young people into technical disciplines. It introduces a new model of technical education from age 14 that the UK Government initiated in 2008. A concept of University led Technical Colleges (UTCs) for 14-19 year olds. These state supported schools, sponsored by a University, have technical curricula, technologically enabled learning environments and strong engagement with employers. As new schools they have been able to recruit outstanding staff that are conversant with the use of technology to enhance learning and all students have their own iPads. The Aston University Engineering Academy opened in September 2012 and a recent survey of staff, students and parents has provided both qualitative and quantitative data on the benefits to motivation and learning of these embedded iPads. The devices have also had advantages for the management of data on student achievement from a leadership, teaching staff and parental view point.
Measures of success
Authors: Blackmore Kim
Published: July 2024

Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) are widely understood to suffer from low completion rates, and this is taken as evidence that MOOCs are not living up to their promise. However, we argue that the common understanding of completion rates is misleading in the MOOC context because many of the registered participants are not actually students, in that they never intended to “complete” the course. We examine student participation in the light of declared intention in the Engaging India MOOC. We show the number of passing students is 28% of the number of registrants who intended to complete the course. We also show that a significant number of students completed the solitary assessments but did not complete assessment items that involved the discussion forum, with only 13% completing the final reflective piece. We conclude that a new understanding of completion is needed for the MOOC context and call for closer examination of the interplay between assessment type and student participation.
Reality at the COAL FACE
Authors: Birks Melanie , Buchan Janet , Smithson John , Norris Philip
Published: July 2024

Online and blended learning modalities have made education accessible to those whose lifestyle, work obligations or geographical location would otherwise deny them such opportunities. The enthusiasm with which such approaches to learning have been embraced has often overlooked those factors within physical and virtual learning spaces that impact on the educational experience. This paper reports on the first phase of a study that sought to engender a Community of Active Learners who are Flexible, Adaptive, Connected and Engaged (the COAL FACE project). Through analysis of focus group data, the authors describe processes of participants getting access to the learning spaces and resources, getting comfortable in this environment, and getting connected to support mechanisms that enhance the learning and teaching.
Finding and sharing educational resources using Twitter, Hashtags and Storify
Authors: McGuire Mark
Published: July 2024

This paper reports on the use of Twitter, hashtags and Storify to connect with individuals inside and outside the university who have a shared interest in the future of libraries. The objective was to discover and share educational resources that were applicable to a class project, by engaging with experts through social media, rather than by searching for the resources directly. A related aim was to discover how even limited social contact with others could result in a more collaborative, networked approach to problem solving, in keeping with contemporary design practice. Over the 13-week course, 250 Twitter messages were collected, narrated and archived by the course Lecturer (and author), using Storify. During class discussions, students reported that the resources were useful, and they commented on the effectiveness of reaching out beyond the classroom in this way. This trial also provided insights into how such collaborations could be taken further.
The who, why and what of MOOCs
Authors: Norman Adrian
Published: July 2024

In the area of online learning massive open online courses have attracted much attention in recent years. In 2014, quantitative research into MOOCs is starting to appear but relatively little is known about the learner experience in these environments. This paper reports on an ongoing study involving a mixed methods approach with a multiple embedded case study design which investigates what people bring with them into MOOCs and how they self regulate their learning in these unique environments. A preliminary analysis of data collected in a survey administered to the registrants of a health sciences MOOC confirms what the recent research tells us about who signs up for MOOCs: that they are likely to be young, male, and educated. In particular, individuals enroll with learning intentions other than the traditional trajectory of ‘completion’. The unique characteristics of individuals in MOOCs need be foremost in our mind if we are to better understand effective learning in massive courses.
BLT Bytes
Authors: Orchard Annabel , Stewart Cherry , Gonzalez Alberto , Macfarlan Barbara , Schliephake Kirsten , Smith Tammy
Published: July 2024

Learning design is part of the multifaceted role of the university teacher. However, very few university teachers have expertise in this field. The Educational Design Team at Monash University is addressing this need by developing a suite of digitally enabled capacity-building resources to support teachers at their point of need as they work towards enhancing teaching and learning practice. These resources, known as the BLT (Better Learning and Teaching) Bytes, provide just-in-time answers whilst also enabling and enhancing further understanding of the learning design process. These self-access digital resources are designed to support individuals and foster the development of communities of practice. This paper addresses the rationale for a just-in-time approach to professional learning in the higher education context. It describes the range of strategies that the educational design team has implemented in order to meet the complex professional development needs of university teaching staff.
Using wiki technology in a blended learning environment
Authors: Verhaart Michael
Published: July 2024

The rapid pace of change in the area of Information Technology means that innovative ways are needed to provide effective teaching and to engage and support learners. This paper focuses on the use of wiki technology in the context of a blended learning environment in a tertiary institution, and considers the research question, what are the issues when using wiki technology in a blended learning environment? A longitudinal case study methodology has been used to report on the use of wiki technology as a course delivery mechanism. This case study revealed that while course content has significant views, students are reluctant to update or contribute to course content and that a wiki navigation structure is complex and an inhibitor to learning. The six year case study also reveals a wiki is not necessarily a quick solution for content creation.
Trajectories of Language and Culture of Gopali Community in Chitlang Valley
Authors: Gautam Bhim Lal , Giri Madhu
Published: July 2024

Language pedagogy primarily casts light on cultural trajectories of language use in certain communities. By examining these of the Gopali community in the Chitlang Valley, located 28 miles southwest of Kathmandu, this preliminary study delves into various applied aspects of language use in the area. Preliminary observations indicate that the Gopali, a subset of the Newar ethnic group, have a distinctive linguistic and cultural identity in Nepal. However, they have yet to be recognized as a separate ethnic community despite their unique language, marital exchange, origin stories, and cultural practices. Currently subsumed under the Newar subset, the Gopali language is on the brink of extinction primarily because of an increasing level of influence exerted by Nepali, Tamang and Kathmandu-based Newar accents on Gopali speakers. As the misrecognition of language and culture was historically linked with the political-economic access of the community, we observed the impact of the political economy on the Gopali of Chitlang. This paper has been developed on the basis of data elicited from various narratives, key informant interviews (KII), life histories, language surveys, and observations conducted in October, 2021. Thus, the interpretation has been made in relation to various political, social and economic relations of language use and cultural changes. In consideration of multilingualism as a norm of language education, this study has also explored the impact of multilingualism among the younger generation in the Chitlang Valley. The study can help policymakers introduce mother tongue-based multilingual education (MTB-MLE) to children in the Gopali community.
“LSP teaching – current trends, desiderata, research perspectives”. Institute of Applied Linguistics of Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań, Poland, 05-06.07.2023
Authors: Ammari Maria
Published: July 2024

The “LSP Teaching – Current Research Trends, Desiderata, Research Perspectives” conference was held in Poznan on July 5-6, 2023. The venue of the conference’s was the Collegium Novum, and it was organized by the institute of Applied Linguistics UAM and the LSP Teacher Education Online Course for Professional Development Consortium. The conference included many renowned participants and was distinguished by its intimate and supportive atmosphere, fostering a collaborative spirit that resonated with both academics and practitioners in the field of Languages for Specific Purposes (LSP).
(Im)mobility infrastructure and the production of the linguistic precariat
Authors: Yilmaz Birgul
Published: July 2024

Based on an 18 month long ethnographic fieldwork in self-organised English language lessons in a radical café and a squat in two neighbourhoods of Athens, this article deals with (im)mobility infrastructure and the production of the linguistic precariat in Greece. To do this, I investigate how waiting as a bordering technology shapes language learning practices of refugees whilst they plan their journeys to northern Europe via human smugglers. I explore how language and communication intersect with (im)mobility infrastructure, how it is rationalised and what it does in the context of forced migration. More specifically, I investigate how language learning and communication practices of refugees are shaped by this apparatus and turn them into the linguistic precariat. The notion of linguistic precariat refers to uncertainties, anxieties, vulnerabilities, insecurities experienced by individuals who make temporary investments in their language learning choices. I discuss how my participants, including refugees and anti-authoritarians, mobilise vulnerability, lack of language(s), through self organised teaching and learning, to reduce condition of precarity.
Anti-OTC antibody-conjugated fluorescent magnetic/silica and fluorescent hybrid silica nanoparticles for oxytetracycline detection
Authors: Kaliyaperumal Viswanathan , Al-Otibi Fatimah Oleyan , John Ruth Sophila , Alharbi Raedah Ibrahim , Gopal Dhinakar Raj
Published: July 2024

This study presents two alternative fluorescent nanoparticle-based oxytetracycline (OTC) detection methods in milk samples. Rhodamine 6G-coated fluorescent hybrid silica nanoparticles and fluorescent magnetic/silica nanoparticles functionalized with anti-OTC antibodies were used in this test. The sandwich test format was utilized to compare anti-OTC antibody-conjugated fluorescent magnetic/silica nanoparticles with OTC/OTC antibody-conjugated fluorescent hybrid silica nanoparticles in an Eppendorf tube with magnetic separators. The magnetic separator helps to quickly retain all of the OTC captured by fluorescent magnetic core–shell nanoparticles in the milk sample. As a result, the assay time was dramatically shortened. The obtained linear range was 1.34 × 10−6 to 2.10 × 10−8 (M) (R
2 = 0.9954), the detection limit was 4.76 ng/mL, and the total assay time was 90 min. This approach was used to determine the OTC concentration in milk samples, and the maximum percentage (%) of interference was less than 3.0%, with a recovery rate of greater than 97.0%. This approach offers a high potential for residue detection in milk samples. With a total analysis period of less than 90 min, this approach provided the best way to determine the capture and detector nanoparticles’ response.
Visible light-boosted photodegradation activity of Ag–AgVO3/Zn0.5Mn0.5Fe2O4 supported heterojunctions for effective degradation of organic contaminates
Authors: Jasim Nuralhuda Aladdin , Ebrahim Shahlaa Esmail , Ammar Saad H.
Published: July 2024

One of the most important concerns in developing efficient heterojunction photocatalysts for the photodegradation of environmental contaminants is the enhancement and acceleration of photocarrier separation. In this study, novel nanocomposite photocatalysts of Ag–AgVO3 nanorods grafted with Zn0.5Mn0.5Fe2O4 metal ferrites nanoparticles were developed by using facial hydrothermal and coprecipitation techniques for the effective photodegradation of Rhodamine B (Rh B) under visible light exposure. The fabricated materials were analyzed in detail using scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), nitrogen adsorption/desorption, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL), vibrating sample magnetometer, and ultraviolet–visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). The results showed an efficient contribution when compared to the earlier research. The TEM showed a hybrid of nanorods of supported composite with metal ferrite and Ag attached on the surface, consistent with field emission scanning electron microscopy and EDS results. The DRS expressed a lower band gap for supported nanocomposites (1.5 eV), which, arranged with PL, showed a lower recombination rate of supported nanocomposites. The surface properties showed that the supported hybrid might be as small as 45.42 nm or as large as 20.33 nm compared with others. When comparing the photocatalytic activity of pure AgVO3, Ag/AgVO3, and Zn0.5Mn0.5Fe2O4 photocatalysts, the performance of Ag–AgVO3/Zn0.5Mn0.5Fe2O4 nanocomposite photocatalyst was clearly superior (more than 99.9% degradation efficiency was achieved). The boosted activity the Ag–AgVO3/Zn0.5Mn0.5Fe2O4 photocatalyst system was justified by Z-system heterojunction induced by the plasmonic effect, and the suggested mechanism was investigated by quenching of reactive species by scavengers. The degradation performance was achieved under optimum conditions (pH = 2, 20 ppm of pollutant concentration, 120 mM of hydrogen peroxide, 1 g/L of catalysts dose). The results showed that after 240 min of visible irradiation resulted in the high (chemical oxygen demand) and (total organic carbon) reductions with a removal efficiency of (85) to (90%) for Rh B dye. The fabricated Ag–AgVO3/Zn0.5Mn0.5Fe2O4 nanocomposites were effective in the degradation of organic pollutants in wastewater treatment.
The effect of biostimulants and red mud on the growth and yield of shallots in post-unlicensed gold mining soil
Authors: Surachman Surachman , Palupi Tantri , Purwaningsih Purwaningsih , Gafur Sutarman
Published: July 2024

Shallot production in West Kalimantan is still low. Land that has the potential for the development of shallots is the soil from post-unlicensed gold mining (PUGM). The soil at PUGM was exploited very extensively and can be used to develop shallots, but it is obstacled by low pH values and nutrient content. This research aims to investigate the impact of biostimulants and red mud on the growth and yield of shallots. The experiment was carried out in two stages: (1) investigated the ratio of the red mud and PUGM soil at the laboratory and (2) investigated the biostimulants and red mud effect on two varieties of shallots in a screen house. For the second experiment, there were three factors. The first factor was the biostimulant (0, 2, 3, and 4%); the second factor was the dose of red mud (0, 2, and 4 tons ha−1); and the third factor was the shallot varieties (Bima Brebes and Tajuk). The results of the first research indicated that the application of the red mud and PUGM soil in a ratio of 1:500 and 1:1,000 had a pH of 7.88 (slightly alkaline) and 7.24 (neutral), respectively. The second study found that a 2% concentration of biostimulant increased plant height and tuber count by 23.78 cm and 6.55 tubers, respectively. The Bima Brebes variety produced better fresh tubers weight clump−1 and dry tubers weight clump−1 than the Tajuk variety, with, respectively, 42.08 g (7.36 tons ha−1) and 32.60 g (5.71 tons ha−1). These findings show that the use of the biostimulants and red mud together in integrated management can help shallots grow and produce more, especially on PUGM land that has obstacles with low soil fertility. This research contributes to the identification of sustainable solutions for agricultural development in environments that have experienced severe land degradation, such as unlicensed gold mining activities.
The Περὶ ποιητῶν Literature. A General Outline and Survey of the Extant Fragments
Authors: Pelucchi Marco
Published: July 2024

The Greek manuscript tradition transmits various fragments of works with the title Περὶ ποιητῶν, composed by both philosophers and grammarians from the Classical to the Imperial periods. The aim of this paper is to analyse these surviving fragments with a view to delineating the contents, forms, and characteristics of this type of literature. In the first part, I propose a survey of all authors and fragments of ancient Greek works On Poets. The second section outlines their literary-historical profile. Based on comparison with ancient works treating similar topics, I suggest a unitary reading of the writings Περὶ ποιητῶν. Through a combination of biographical, exegetical, theoretical, and (perhaps) technical information, this type of literature appears to have comprised the earliest “histories” of ancient poetry.
Human estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) targeted cyclic peptides inhibit cell growth and induce apoptosis in MCF-7 cells
Authors: Şentürk Hilal , Dedeakayoğulları Huri , Marion İlke U. , Özçubukçu Salih , Kesici Mehmet S. , Ünsal Beyge Şeyma , Acar Muradiye , Erkısa Genel Merve , Akbaş Fahri , Ulukaya Engin
Published: July 2024

Objectives

Human estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) is considered an important target, especially in the treatment of breast cancer, as it has a vital role in cancer development. ERα-targeted therapies generally target the ligand binding domain (LBD) of ERα. However, over time, cells develop resistance to this mechanism alternative approaches to inhibit ERα activity target ERα–DNA or ERα–cofactor interactions. Inhibitors of ERα–cofactor interactions are designed by targeting the hydrophobic hollow region of the receptor box LXXLL motif.

Methods

In this context, helix-stabilized cyclic peptides (SPs) designed with in silico approaches were obtained by solid phase peptide synthesis. The effects of SPs on MCF-7 cells were examined with MTT and ATP, and qPCR and flow cytometry were used for further analysis.

Results

Our results demonstrated that the SPs were effective only in MCF-7 cells expressing ERα. In addition, cyclic peptide combinations (SPCs) showed anti-proliferative and toxic effects on MCF-7 cells. The impact of SPCs with the highest inhibitory effect in MCF-7 cells on ERα-related genes and markers of apoptosis was revealed. Moreover, the flow cytometry analysis result used to examine apoptotic cells proved the apoptosis of SPCs in MCF-7 cells.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that our novel SPs, which inhibit coactivator interactions of ERα, induce apoptosis of MCF-7 cells. Thus, considering this strong effect of SPs in the inhibition of receptors, it is pointed out that they can be further developed as an alternative to current clinical treatments or as an auxiliary approach in the generating of new targeted peptide-based therapies.
Problems related to statelessness as a consequence of the war in Ukraine from the Polish perspective
Authors:   University of Gdańsk, Poland, Gajda Agnieszka
Published: July 2024

One of the problems that has become particularly important for Europe in the face of the ongoing war in Ukraine is the problem of statelessness. It concerns not only the imperfections of applicable legal regulations and their interpretation but above all the practice of their application. It is also visible in Poland, a country that, as one of Ukraine's closest neighbors, was strongly affected by the war, among other things, through the influx of people fleeing the war. This Polish perspective has become a point of interest for considerations on problems related to statelessness. The aim of the article is to demonstrate the connection between the ongoing war in Ukraine and the increased risk of statelessness in Poland. Moreover, an indication of the complexity of the topic, which concerns not only the universal problem of creating and avoiding statelessness but also the situation of individual people affected by statelessness. Stateless persons are deprived of the opportunity to enjoy the full catalog of human rights. The author comes to the belief that work related to Poland's ratification of two global instruments on statelessness (the 1954 Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons and the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness) should be accelerated. It is also necessary to create an internal, comprehensive legal regulation relating to stateless persons, which would ensure their protection. The idea is to create mechanisms to facilitate their acquisition of citizenship as well as to create preventive mechanisms to prevent the problem of statelessness. The basic research methods used were the historical method to describe the beginnings of interest in the problem of statelessness, the dogmatic-legal method to describe the phenomenon of statelessness, and the analysis of applicable legal regulations and other source texts to describe the effects and consequences of statelessness.
Frameworks of Paradiplomacy. Cases of Selected Unitary States: France, the Netherlands and Czechia
Authors:   Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań, Poland, Ksenicz Igor
Published: July 2024

Paradiplomacy literature focuses on federations. This paper is dedicated to selected unitary states. The aim was to identify the achievement of those states in terms of cooperation between central and local governments with respect to foreign policy. The principal research method was a semi-structured direct interview. In the light of the examined examples, the French model of paradiplomacy for a unitary state appears to be the best solution. It respects both the authority of the sub-state governments to engage in foreign cooperation and the constitutional prerogative of the government as the body responsible for pursuing foreign policy of the state.
Optimisation of nitrogen plasma exposure time for surface modification of cotton fibre
Authors: Abd Hair Ainul Hafiza , Salleh Kushairi Mohd , Mazlan Nyak Syazwani Nyak , Khairunnisa-Atiqah Mohamad Khalid , Purhanudin Noorain , Akhiri Anin Sofya Mohd , Zakaria Sarani , Awang Rozidawati
Published: July 2024

Surface modification via plasma treatment is useful in improving textile-based wound dressing functionality. This study was conducted to optimise the nitrogen plasma exposure time and its effect on the cotton surface (CS) properties at a constant nitrogen flow rate of 20 sccm for 5 to 30 min. The optimisation was done by analysing the alteration in morphology, functional group composition, crystallinity phase, electrokinetic potential, and colour of CS as subjected to nitrogen plasma. CS experienced an etching effect due to the presence of microcracks on its surface, with its electrokinetic potential becoming less negative, ranging from -5.51 to –8.05 mV. Then, the nitrogen functional group was detected on CS ranging from 2.9% to 4.5%, with its whiteness index reduced to 8.67% compared to the pristine cotton. As a result, 20 min was selected as the optimum exposure time for surface treatment. An exposure time of 30 min showed an early sign of degradation, which reduced its crystallinity index by 11.1%. Apparently, the CS is activated as exposed to the nitrogen plasma and experiences slight changes in its molecular structure without affecting its bulk properties.
Serialised Translations in the Estonian Newspapers in the Beginning of the 20th Century (1900‒1940)
Authors: Möldre Aile
Published: July 2024

The paper explores the serialised novels and stories in the two leading Estonian daily newspapers, Päewaleht and Postimees, the majority of which were translations. The approach, combining book and translation history, is driven by the two issues debated in the media in 1900–1940: the desire to distance from the dominant German and Russian cultural influences and search for a new orientation; the categories of literature serialised in newspapers including the proportion of popular literature (genres like mystery, thrillers, romance, etc.) and the concern of intellectuals about its growth. The study uses the years 1906–1911 and 1928–1933 as a sample for content analysis of the feuilleton sections of the two newspapers in order to examine the changes in source literatures and the category of literature. The results demonstrate that German literature still dominated the serialised fiction translations at the beginning of the century, although many other literatures were used as sources. In the independent Republic of Estonia, in the 1920s and 1930s, Anglo-American literature occupied the leading position in accordance with the general cultural orientation. Still, German had not become marginal, and the range of other source literatures was quite diverse. The proportion of popular literature, mystery novels, and romance above all, started to increase in Päewaleht since 1906, becoming dominant in the 1920s and 1930s. Postimees also started to include some mystery and thriller novels in the selection, but in general, remained true to its preference for literary fiction. Thus, the agency of the Editors-in-Chief and editorial boards can be seen in the choice of works. The overall abundance of translated popular fiction in the book market and periodicals caused the protests of writers and educational circles that culminated with the suggestion to introduce a translation tax, which was, however, abandoned.
GOD AND GOD’S WORLD IN A. I. SOLZHENITSYN’S SHORT NOVEL (POVEST’) “CANCER WARD”
Authors: Shurupova Olga
Published: July 2024

The research is devoted to revealing the features of understanding of God and God’s world in A. I. Solzhenitsyn’s “Cancer Ward.” The heroes of the short novel travel a difficult path on which they have to think about God. At the beginning of the short novel there is a parable illustrating a legalistic understanding of God as Allah who punishes man, and at the end of the work the image of the Lamb, that is, Christ going to his death, appears, which means that the protagonist rises to the realization of Grace. A. I. Solzhenitsyn demonstrates how, having consciously separated himself from God, a person turns into an animal. The zoo visited at the end of the story by Kostoglotov is a model of the animal world that shows how people can turn into animals. An important place in the short novel is occupied by the parable about God endowing a person with extra years of life, taking them from a horse, a dog and a monkey. Images-symbols of these three animals are of great importance for understanding the characters of the key heroes of the story: Kostoglotov and Rusanov (dog), Vadim, Efrem, Roan, Doctor Dontsova and Asya (horse), Zoey (monkey). Turning away from God, man renounces his immortal soul and becomes similar to an animal immersed in incessant movement and leading a biological existence. He becomes a hostage to the cyclical model of time, which is steadily moving towards death. The symbol of this movement is a squirrel in a wheel, which Kostoglotov sees in the zoo. However, the short novel also sets a different trajectory of time: from the meat-eater through Maslenitsa and Lent to Easter, that is, to the Resurrection that awaits the immortal human soul. Aunt Stepha, cancer ward patient who believes in God, talks about this model of time. Images of plants also play an important role, serving as a reminder to a person about the happiness and harmony of God’s world. The short novel of A. I. Solzhenitsyn calls for understanding God as a merciful, Grace-giving Creator and calls for acceptance of God’s world.
Effect of Pergularia daemia (Forssk) and Momordica charantia L. (bitter gourd) leaf extracts on some enteric bacterial species
Authors: Nyam Mary Azumi , Sila MD , Datiri Mary I , Papi Danladi Yakubu , Ajang Dauda Inah
Published: July 2024

Medicinal plants are potential sources of new antimicrobial molecules. This study was undertaken to determine the effects of Pergularia daemia (Forssk) and Momordica charantia (bitter gourd) leaf extracts on some enteric bacterial species. Plant leaves were collected from Kerker village of Jos East Local Government Area of Plateau State. Plants were identified, the leaves were shade-dried, pulverized into fine powder. Proximate analysis was carried out using AOAC methods. Extracts were obtained through cold maceration techniques. The extracts were used for phytochemical screening; antibacterial activity was carried out using well diffusion methods. Minimum inhibitory concentration and maximum bactericidal concentration was determined using broth dilution method. The results of proximate analysis showed that the plants powder were rich in carbohydrates, M. charantia 55.59± 0.02 and P. daemia 31.38 ± 0.03, followed by crude fiber and crude fat 19. 62± 0.04 and 16.69± 0.22 in P. daemia compared to 10.66 ± 0.03 and 10.78± 0.03 in M. charantia while ash content and moisture were moderate with 12.86±0.12 in M. charantia and 7.53 ± 0.02 in P. daemia. The phytochemicals showed the presence of alkaloids, phenols, flavonoids, tannins and terpenoids in all plant extracts. The antibacterial activity showed that the extracts have a broad spectrum of activity on the test organisms as compared to the standard drug gentamicin. There was a significant difference at p<0.05. Shigella flexneri was the most susceptible to methanolic and aqueous extracts with 22.53± 0.10 at 500 mg/ml as compared to standard drug gentamicin 32.33± 0.18, followed by E. coli with 21.13± 0.13 at 500 mg/ml as compared to the control 29.60±0.15 and Salmonella typhi with 20.47±0.14 at the concentration of 500 mg/ml as compared to standard drug with 38.50±0.36. The results of minimum inhibitory concentration showed that Shigella flexneri was the most susceptible with the MIC of 31.25 mg/ml and 62.5 mg/ml for both methanolic and aqueous extracts of P. daemia while salmonella typhi was the most susceptible with the MIC of 62.5 mg/ml and 125 mg/ml for M. charantia respectively. The presence of alkaloids, saponins, tannins and terpenoids showed that the plants leaves have antibacterial activity. The results of this study support the use of these plants as therapeutic agents for diarrhoea caused by S. flexneri and E. coli.
Experiences and transformations of fathers who received education on children's socio-emotional development support
Authors: Hur Mi-Ae , Beak Young-Ran ,   Research Institute for Early Childhood Education - Korea National University of Education
Published: July 2024

The purpose of this study is to examine and analyze the experience and transformation of fathers who participated in education for children's socio-emotional development. For this research, six fathers were selected as research participants, and they went through 7 weeks of education in children’s socio-emotional developmental support, including group interviews. During the study, recordings of videos, transcripts, self-reflections, and interviews of the participants from the education were collected and analyzed. The results have shown that through the education, the participants were able to ‘recognize and understand their ignorance and indifference’, ‘practice and role-play to apply the knowledge in real-life situations’ and ‘experience how father-child play serves as a channel for the children's social and emotional development’ and ‘exchange sympathy and fellowship between fathers’. In addition, the interviews and reflections have shown that the participants have transformed into fathers who try to ‘comprehend and understand their children’, are ‘not embarrassed to express praise and encouragement’, are ‘not afraid to spend time with their children’ and ‘enjoy co-parenting’. As a result, the analyses of the study have shown that the education for children's socio-emotional development support for fathers has not only helped the children's socio-emotional development but has also improved child-parent communication and relationship, furthermore, resulting in positive improvements in marital relationships through encouraging and motivating equal sacrifice to achieve actively joint parenting.
Familial Recurrence of Autism: Updates From the Baby Siblings Research Consortium
Authors: Ozonoff Sally , Young Gregory S. , Bradshaw Jessica , Charman Tony , Chawarska Katarzyna , Iverson Jana M. , Klaiman Cheryl , Landa Rebecca J. , McDonald Nicole , Messinger Daniel , Schmidt Rebecca J. , Wilkinson Carol L. , Zwaigenbaum Lonnie
Published: July 2024

OBJECTIVES

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is estimated to be ∼10 times higher in children with versus without an autistic sibling in population-based studies. Prospective studies of infant siblings have revealed even higher familial recurrence rates. In the current prospective longitudinal study, we provide updated estimates of familial ASD recurrence using a multinational database of infants with older autistic siblings.

METHODS

Data were collated across 18 sites of the Baby Siblings Research Consortium, an international network studying the earliest manifestations of ASD. A total of 1605 infants with an older autistic sibling were followed from early in life to 3 years, when they were classified as ASD or non-ASD. Hierarchical generalized linear modeling, with site as a random effect, was used to examine predictors of recurrence in families and calculate likelihood ratios.

RESULTS

A total of 20.2% of siblings developed ASD, which is not significantly higher than the previously reported rate of 18.7%. Male infant sex and >1 older affected sibling were significant predictors of familial recurrence. Proband sex also influenced recurrence rates, with siblings of female probands significantly more likely to develop ASD than siblings of male probands. Race and maternal education were also associated with recurrence in families.

CONCLUSIONS

The familial recurrence rate of ASD, as measured in infant sibling studies, has not changed appreciably since previous estimates were made in 2011. Younger siblings of autistic children, particularly those who are male, have an affected female sibling, multiple affected siblings, or are impacted by social inequities, should be closely monitored and promptly referred for diagnostic evaluation.
Restoration of property rights of the subjects of the Central Powers in Ukraine (1918)
Authors: Malynovsky B.V. , Malynovskа T.V.
Published: July 2024

During the First World War, the Russian government confiscated, seized, or sequestered a large part of the property belonging to the subjects of the Central Powers in the Russian Empire. After the collapse of the empire and the formation of the Ukrainian state, its leadership faced the question of returning the seized property to its former owners. The article examines the position of the governments of the Ukrainian People’s Republic and the Ukrainian State regarding the ways to resolve this issue. The republican and hetman governments of Ukraine (1918) viewed differently the post-war restoration of property rights of the subjects of the Central Powers, which were limited, violated or canceled during the First World War. The socialists leading the Ukrainian People’s Republic considered it necessary to return lost property to foreign citizens, with the exception of what was subject to the legislation on property socialization, namely, land plots «with their waters, above-ground and underground wealth» (i. e., mines, reservoirs, forests etc.). The Hetman government, upholding the principle of the inviolability of property rights and canceling socialization, intended to restore foreign property in Ukraine on the basis it had existed before the start of the World War, and took initial practical steps for this process. Institutions managing the confiscated property were ordered to stop all measures aimed at the liquidation or sale of the confiscated property. They were not allowed to conclude agreements on use or transfer of such property. They had to provide reports on the management of the property (especially on expenses and profits) at the request of the owners or their representatives acting solely for the benefit of the owner. In September 1918, the draft law on institutions designed to consider appeals from foreign subjects regarding the return of confiscated property («Regulations on District Commissions in the Matter of Restoration of Property Rights of German, Austro-Hungarian, Bulgarian and Turkish Subjects») was completed. According to this document, it was planned to create four commissions – in Kyiv, Kharkiv, Odesa and Katerynoslav. Their composition was to be made up of representatives of the judicial authorities, the State Control, the Ministries of Agriculture, Trade and Industry, and Finance. The overthrow of the Hetman government at the end of 1918 prevented these initiatives from being fully implemented.
The	German	Collection: Emotions and Narratives
Authors: Hryshchenko K.S.
Published: July 2024

The article presents the history of origin, as well as the structure and content of the German collection belongs to the Dnipro Historical Museum. The information potential of the collection is proven in the context of museum exhibitions and while using it as a source for theoretical historical research. The collection of the Dnipro National Historical Museum includes about 600 items of German origin or related to Germany. Due to the peculiarities of the formation of the German state and changes in its borders, a lot of Czech, Austrian, Polish and Ukrainian origin objects from the museum catalogs are also identified as German. A large part of the collection tells about the life and culture of the German colonists who settled in the South of Ukraine in the second half of the 18th century. For a long time, their faith, lifestyle, and farming methods kept their unique features and were very different from their surroundings. Therefore, the study of the history of colonists in our region has not lost its relevance for more than 30 years. University historians made the main contribution to the research, but museum workers also tried to record historical information and preserve the object component of the culture of the German colonists. For this, in 1990, an ethnographic expedition was conducted to the village of Dniprovs’ke (the former colony of Yamburg). Then the collection of the museum was replenished with a unique complex of sources – memories, photographs, household items of local production or use. Another separate sub-complex is comprised of the things related to the history of the Second World War. Most of the items from the "German collection" are, for the most part, similar household items used by local residents (dishes, decorative things, cameras, musical instruments, etc.). The time of their use and arrival at the museum varies from the 18th to the 21st centuries. Museum objects (books, furniture, porcelain etc.), the circumstances of their using and entering to the museum collection demonstrate potential for exploring and presenting the history of everyday life, social and political life of the region, the history of local and international relations.