bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF RURAL TERRITORIES
Authors:   Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Kyiv, Ukraine, KOMAKHA Larysa , KOLTUN Viktoriia ,   Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Kyiv, Ukraine
Published: November 2024

Background . This article is focused on specifics of sustainable development of rural territories as a milestone on the way to harmonious regional development. Notably, dynamics and realities of rural territories challenge sustainable development and require some ways to maintain it. There is evident asymmetry between sustainable development of rural and urban territories, and the government has to take measures to ensure equal access to resources and opportunities for those territories to unleash their potential. Methods . In the preparation of the research, both general methods, including methods of abstraction, logic, synthesis and analysis (in particular, causal analysis), extrapolation, and special methods and approaches were used. Thus, a chronological (historical) approach is used when analyzing trends in the development of rural areas compared to urban areas; a complex of methods belonging to a wide range of systems theory (when analyzing correlations between environments of different levels, connections, resources, dynamic open systems, analysis of homeostats of the specified systems); activity approach – when characterizing the reasons for the mobility of the rural and urban population; modeling – when making forecasts of the development of territories. Results . The social aspect of sustainable development of rural territories endeavors to strengthen the ties between public authorities and community stakeholders in order to find the integral solutions consistent with dynamics of the relevant regions and capable of taking the challenges. The environmental aspect outlines the land use conflict arising out of the economic activities in the relevant areas of interest. The economic aspect has to be seek economic equality and equal access to jobs for rural and urban population, as well as improve the quality of life for the villagers. Conclusions . The article identifies the new factors that have to be studied in the development models, for example, the ever-growing ties between city and village life, the economic activity changes emerging in the rural areas due to transfer from the traditional agriculture to secondary production and services. It has been proven that village and city relationship is a deciding factor governing sustainable regional development, because spatial differences between cities and suburban areas are growing, and therefore it is necessary to study regional development to analyze interlinkage between rural and urban territories
STIMULATING INNOVATION AND SUPPORTING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: INTEGRATION OF INVESTMENT POLICY AND DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION IN THE CONTEXT OF PANDEMICS
Authors:   Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Kyiv, Ukraine, LEGKYII Serhi
Published: November 2024

Background . This article examines the interconnection between state investment policy and the digital transformation of society in the context of pandemics, with an emphasis on stimulating innovation and sustainable development. The paper is dedicated to analyzing strategies that foster innovation and sustainable growth within the integration of investment policy and digital transformation, particularly under pandemic conditions. The study considers the potential of digitalization as a catalyst for the development of smart cities, which can significantly enhance the quality of life for citizens by ensuring safety, energy efficiency, and creating comfortable living conditions. Methods . Employing an analytical approach, the research assesses current strategies and initiatives, as well as explores the potential of digitalization for the development of smart cities. Results . The analysis demonstrates that digitalization can significantly improve the quality of life for citizens by ensuring safety and energy efficiency. It highlights the challenges and opportunities that arise for states and economic entities. The paper analyzes how states, regions, and business structures can adapt to rapid changes induced by digital innovations and global crises, including pandemics. It emphasizes the necessity of developing comprehensive strategies that integrate investment policy and digital technologies to achieve sustainable development and form smart cities capable of effectively responding to contemporary challenges. The role of informational transformation in creating smart cities as a platform for enhancing educational systems, healthcare, production innovation, and increasing energy efficiency is outlined. Conclusions . The conclusions underscore the relevance of smart city development in the context of integrating investment policy and digital transformations, which require new approaches to management, societal development, and interaction with global challenges. The development of comprehensive strategies that integrate investment policy and digital transformation is key to achieving sustainable development and creating smart cities capable of effectively responding to modern challenges.
Students’ AI Dependency in 3R’s: Questionnaire Construction and Validation
Authors:   College of Education, Faculty, Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology-Gabaldon Campus, Gabaldon, Philippines, Capinding Andie Tangonan
Published: November 2024

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into education has introduced both groundbreaking opportunities and concerns. Among these concerns is the extent of students’ reliance on AI in the realms of reading, writing, and numeracy/arithmetic (3Rs). While existing instruments delve into the broader impact of AI, they exhibit certain limitations. Consequently, this research endeavors to develop and validate a specialized questionnaire tailored to assess students’ dependency on AI in the 3Rs. The process includes interviews with student groups, consultations with professionals in the education sector, face validation, content validation, exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, Rasch analysis, and reliability testing to navigate the construction and validation of the instruments. Initial item identification involved a 45-item questionnaire distributed across three constructs, derived from qualitative interviews with students and experts. The survey received a total of 727 responses. Post EFA, nine items were eliminated due to their failure to achieve a loading factor of 0.5, and certain items exhibited cross-loadings. Subsequent Rasch analysis affirmed the construct validity of the instruments, prompting the removal of three additional items. The resulting 33-item questionnaire, divided into three constructs—Reading (10 items), Writing (11 items), and Numeracy/Arithmetic (12 items)—emerges as a validated and reliable tool for measuring students’ dependency in the 3Rs. The author confirms the validity and reliability of the questionnaire. Future research should focus on longitudinal studies to assess how AI dependency evolves over time and impacts educational outcomes.
Integrating Eclecticism and Technology in Language Teaching: The Case of Lusail University in Qatar
Authors: Harb Hiba , El Hajj Murielle
Published: November 2024

The objective of this research is to highlight the importance of technology in teaching languages within an eclectic framework. To achieve this goal, we have discussed how modern pedagogy strongly emphasizes integrating technology into language teaching. We have also analyzed the objective of teaching "Technology in Education" to students seeking a major in teaching English language at Lusail University, Qatar's first private national university. The paper focuses on the students' needs to enhance the teaching and learning process by integrating modern technology tools into teaching to adapt to future shifts in technology and pedagogy. We have insisted on the challenges of technological improvements, and the necessity to anticipate and adapt to unpredictable trends in education. By the time students graduate, the educational technologies can be outdated, and this impacts the relevance of gained skills in the rapidly changing educational environment. This research has therefore observed that by applying appropriate educational approaches and developing teaching practices, students can understand the rapidly changing educational contexts and develop their ability to adapt accordingly.
Gamification In English Language Teaching: A Pathway to Fostering Teacher-Student Rapport, Teacher Immediacy and Students’ Willingness to Communicate
Authors: John Aby
Published: November 2024

This research examines the role of gamification in enhancing English language teaching and investigates how it helps in improving teacher-student rapport (TSR), teacher immediacy (TI), and students’ willingness to communicate (WTC). Research focusing on the impact of gamification on these variables is limited. This study bridges the existing gap and sheds light on the necessity of incorporating gamification in foreign language teaching. Data for the study were collected from 50 EFL teachers and 165 EFL students in prominent higher education institutions in two south Indian states, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Purposive sampling was used to collect the data, and two structured questionnaires were distributed. The reliability of the questionnaire was checked using Cronbach’s Alpha. Different statistical methods and descriptive analysis were used to interpret, represent, and analyze the results of the study. It is observed that gamified modules significantly improve the students’ vocabulary acquisition and motivate them to improve their language skills. They also help to enhance TSR and TI, paving the way to improved WTC. Although gamified simulations prepare students for real-world technical communication scenarios in English, it is observed that EFL teachers face several implementation challenges in the classroom.
BIPA Strategies: Teaching Indonesian to the World
Authors: Nagauleng Andi Mukarramah , Waris Ahmad Mustamir , Asnur Sardian Maharani , Taslim
Published: November 2024

The primary focus of this research is to determine the effectiveness of Bahasa Indonesia for Foreign Speakers (BIPA) and to investigate the BIPA learners’ and teachers’ perspectives in identifying the issues arising during learning-teaching processes by seeking its concept, problematization, and urgency. A qualitative descriptive analysis was used as the design of this research. Data were collected through interviews, document studies, and observation. A semi-structured interview strategy was conducted to interview 35 BIPA learners and teacher informants from Yogyakarta, Bali, and Makassar. Various important materials, such as BIPA learning-teaching guidelines, syllabi, and other instruments, as well as the manual and official documents of APPBIPA, were gathered. Observations were made in a BIPA learning-teaching environment to examine teacher-learner interactions and continuing learning results. Data were analyzed using the Seiddel model. The results of this study indicate that the key problems in teaching Bahasa Indonesian to Foreign Speakers are disparities in participants’ linguistic backgrounds, the complexity of Indonesian grammatical structures, and the understanding of Indonesian culture. Thus, it is conceivable to infer that BIPA utilization in learning-teaching processes is an attempt to make BIPA learning more relevant, practical, and in line with the demands of foreign speakers interacting with local communities.
INTERLOCUÇÕES EDUCACIONAIS E OS ÂMBITOS CONTEMPORÂNEOS: TRABALHOS SELECIONADOS
Authors: Costa Castelhano Marcos Vitor , Maracajá Patrí cio Borges , Medeiros Aline Carla De , Almeida Fla vio Franklin Ferreira De , Almeida Jose Cezario de , Araújo Se rgio Carvalho
Published: November 2024

O presente trabalho acadêmico reúne um total de quatro capítulos de livros voltados aos difrentes âmbitos educacionais na contemporaneidade, englobando vieses e proposições atreladas a Pedagogia, Psicopedagogia, Educação Física, entre outras áreas profissionais e metológicas.
Discourse Analysis on The Perceptions of Homosexuality in Botswana: A Case of Kanye and Gaborone
Authors: Motladiile Dr O. , Galegane Dr G.
Published: November 2024

Discourse analysis in perceiving homosexuality has a significant role in the general use of language within a particular society. The study aims to find out how Batswana perceived homosexuality by analysing the ways in which discourse was used in Gaborone and Kanye. Twenty (20) participants were sampled from both research sites and the sampling technique used was non-probability also known as convenience sampling. After collecting data, the interview results were coded in order to identify the themes of the study which were later used to present and analyse the results. The analysis employed Fairclough’s dimensional model. Most of the discourse analysed in the current research reveals both the negative and the positive results on the perceptions of homosexuality. Most of the Batswana who participated in this study thought homosexuality was not a good practice because it is against the Setswana culture. However, there were glimpses of some Batswana showing accommodation of the practice as it was viewed as “a new phenomenon”.
Frequency-Voltage-var Function for Active Front-end VFD on Oil and Gas Platforms with Offshore Wind Generation
Authors: Medeiros Kassiane de S. , Callegari João Marcus S. , Da Rocha Lorrana F. , Brandao Danilo I.
Published: November 2024

Renewable energy resources emerge as a sustainable alternative to augmenting the energy supply of floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) platforms. However, the increased generation at FPSO based on converter-interfaced energy decreases the system-equivalent inertia constant, which becomes more susceptible to frequency deviations. This paper proposes and evaluates the combined frequency-voltage-var control performance to mitigate frequency variation in a typical FPSO unit with penetration of floating wind energy generation. The control functions are communication-free and embedded in the active front-end variable frequency drives (AFE-VFDs), which are installed on the FPSO and have the primary function of controlling the speed of water injection pumps. The FPSO electrical power system model is developed in MATLAB/Simulink®. Comparative results obtained from the AFE-VFD equipped with volt-var, freq-var, and combined freq-volt-var functions are shown to highlight the proposed solution merits. The results have shown a conflicting behavior with the frequency and voltage deviation improvement associated with absorption and injection of reactive power, respectively. Accordingly, the frequency-volt-var prioritizes frequency deviations during heavy transient events and voltage deviations during regular operation.
Exploring Women’s Experience and Perspective with Patient Centered Fertility Care
Authors: Akhtar Muhammad Ahsan
Published: November 2024

Patient-centered care (PCC) is increasingly recognized as a critical component of healthcare, particularly in fertility care, where emotional well- being, support systems, clinic organization, and communication quality significantly impact patient experience. Although fertility care providers acknowledge the importance of focusing on patients’ needs, translating this understanding into practical, patient-centered infertility care (PCIC) can be challenging.
Uncovering the Impact of Age and Season on Various Types of Skin and Associated Skin Issues: A Survey Analysis
Authors: Mohammad Syed Shoaeb
Published: November 2024

ackground: The current study survey aims to explore the impact of age groups and seasons on various skin types. A survey was performed by IncNut LifeStyle Pvt. Ltd., City, Country in 2021 and 2022. IncNut LifeStyle Pvt. Ltd. India is the 1st organization that designed customized products as per individual needs. To understand consumers’ actual needs over ‘wants’, the consumer needs to answer the questionnaire, which is about various attributes like skin type, gender, age, food habits, skin issues, etc. For skin type categorization, four options were provided i.e. Oily, Dry, Normal and Sensitive Skin. Data mapping and analysis have been done with the aid of proprietary validated software DiabloTM.
THE USE OF HYPERTEXT IN ACADEMIC BLOGS WRITTEN IN ITALIAN AND ENGLISH - A CASE STUDY
Authors: Bulatović Vesna , Bogdanović Vesna , Gak Dragana
Published: November 2024

Hyperlinks are frequently employed in academic writing as they provide an easy and convenient way for readers to access additional information. This can include relevant articles, background information, graphics, text, and other resources that help strengthen and develop the author's arguments. In addition, hyperlinks enable readers to obtain additional information from relevant sources, including those using various modes and media, and support the development of new hybrid digital genres for academic communication. Using online academic blogs written in Italian and English, this study examines how hyperlinks support writers' argumentation and the differences in how hypertext is used in these two languages. The analysis includes 888 hyperlinks in 8 randomly chosen academic blogs. The aim of the study is to present quantitatively and qualitatively the types of hyperlinks used in academic blogs, as well as the types of genres included through hyperlinks. Results demonstrate that authors in both languages use the same types of hyperlinks, although their distribution is slightly different. Finally, the study will provide knowledge for teaching the use of hypertext in academic writing in tertiary education courses to second language users.
SERVICE QUALITY AND CONSUMER PATRONAGE IN ROBAN STORES, AWKA ANAMBRA STATE-NIGERIA: CONTENT ANALYSIS
Authors: Ndidiamaka Okoye Joy , Nwokike Chidi E.
Published: November 2024

This study explores the relationship between service quality and consumer patronage at Roban Stores, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria, employing a qualitative research approach through content analysis. Service quality is conceptualized as the provider's ability to meet customer expectations and enhance business performance through dimensions such as reliability, responsiveness, assurance, empathy, and tangibles. Consumer patronage is defined as the consistent preference of consumers to repeatedly choose a particular firm's products or services over competitors', influenced by factors including product quality, price competitiveness, customer service, and overall satisfaction. The study investigates these dynamics at Roban Stores, high lighting factors such as quality products, competitive pricing, excellent customer service, strategic location, diverse product offerings, promotional activities, store ambiance, word-of-mouth, loyalty programs, and social media presence as crucial in shaping consumer perceptions and fostering patronage. Findings underscore the significance of managing service quality to enhance customer satisfaction and loyalty, recommending strategies for continuous improvement to sustain competitive advantage in the retail market.
Les principaux matériels de scierie mobiles ou semi-mobiles
Authors: Bertrand Alain
Published: November 2024

Les différents types de scieries mobiles et semi-mobiles peuvent être classés en deux catégories : celles où la grume est fixe et le châssis mobile, et celles où la grume est mobile et le châssis fixe.L'auteur passe en revue une grande partie du matériel existant et présente les principales caractéristiques de chaque type sous forme de tableau.
Le débit sur quartier et faux quartier
Authors: Dalois Claude
Published: November 2024

De nombreux contacts entre les experts du C.T.F.T. et les industriels du bois ont mis en évidence l'intérêt particulier et croissant de ce secteur pour le débit sur quartier des bois tropicaux.Cet article, fruit de l'expérience acquise par le C.T.F.T. dans le secteur du sciage, est extrait du « Manuel de sciage et d'Affûtage » de Claude DALOIS du C.T.F.T.
Human Genome Editing: Managing Technological Risks through Legal Means
Authors: Troitskaya A. A. , Sharlovskiy K. A.
Published: November 2024

Objective: to determine theoretical approaches to the legal regulation of reprogenetic editing, taking into account the risk-oriented approach and the practice of regulation of such breakthrough technologies in different jurisdictions; to outline further regulatory and managerial steps to be taken for the technology development.

Methods: general scientific methods of analysis and synthesis, classification, system and functional approaches; specific scientific methods: formal-legal, comparative-legal, and historical-legal.

Results: the research shows the possible approaches to the regulation of genetic editing for reproductive purposes. The considered variants are evaluated from the viewpoint of risk-oriented approach; conditions and peculiarities of various regulatory mechanisms’ application are determined; the current Russian regulation in this sphere is assessed. The analysis allows concluding that the prohibition or significant restriction of the developing technology of reprogenetic editing has no irrefutable grounds. Moreover, it may lead to the results opposite to those declared by its proponents. In this regard, it is necessary to develop the discussion in a constructive and iterative way and involve all stakeholders in it, including the scientific community.
Using Artificial Intelligence in Employment: Problems and Prospects of Legal Regulation
Authors: Novikov D. A.
Published: November 2024

Objective: to identify the legal problems of using artificial intelligence in hiring employees and the main directions of solving them.

Methods: formal-legal analysis, comparative-legal analysis, legal forecasting, legal modeling, synthesis, induction, deduction.

Results: a number of legal problems arising from the use of artificial intelligence in hiring were identified, among which are: protection of the applicant’s personal data, obtained with the use of artificial intelligence; discrimination and unjustified refusal to hire due to the bias of artificial intelligence algorithms; legal responsibility for the decision made by a generative algorithm during hiring. The author believes that for the optimal solution of these problems, it is necessary to look at the best practices of foreign countries, first of all, those which have adopted special laws on the regulation of artificial intelligence for hiring and developed guidelines for employers using generative algorithms for similar purposes. Also, the European Union’s and USA’s legislative work in the area of managing risks arising from the use of artificial intelligence should be taken into account.

Scientific novelty: the article contains a comprehensive study of legal problems arising from the use of artificial intelligence in hiring and foreign experience in solving these problems, which allowed the author to develop recommendations to improve Russian legislation in this area. As for the problem of applicants’ personal data protection when using artificial intelligence for hiring, the author proposes to solve it by supplementing the labor legislation with norms that enshrine the requirements for transparency and consistency in the collection, processing and storage of information when using generative algorithms. The list and scope of personal data allowed for collection should be reflected in a special state standard. The solution to the problem of discrimination due to biased algorithms is seen in the mandatory certification and annual monitoring of artificial intelligence software for hiring, as well as the prohibition of scoring tools for evaluating applicants. The author adheres to the position that artificial intelligence cannot “decide the fate” of a job seeker: the responsibility for the decisions made by the algorithm is solely on the employer, including in cases of involving third parties for the selection of employees.

Practical significance: the obtained results can be used to accelerate the development and adoption of legal norms, rules, tools and standards in the field of using artificial intelligence for hiring. The lack of adequate legal regulation in this area creates significant risks both for human rights and for the development of industries that use generative algorithms to hire employees.
Newsmaking Criminology in the 21st Century: Forming the Public Opinion under the New Reality
Authors: Babaeva V. A.
Published: November 2024

Objective: to study the concept of newsmaking criminology and its relevance in the current conditions of mass media development.

Methods: the methodological basis of the work consists of general scientific, social, and special-legal methods of cognition. The conducted research is based on the dialectical method (in determining the general direction of the study), methods of formal logic (analysis, synthesis, induction, deduction, analogy), system method (in comparing and generalizing the information collected for the research).

Results: the functions of newsmaking criminology in its classical manifestation, as well as its additional functions in the study of mass media in the Internet, were revealed. It is suggested that with the emergence of the World Wide Web, the relevance of newsmaking criminology has increased: social networks, blogs and video hosting as alternative media have a strong influence on public opinion, while an unlimited number of people have access to content generation, contrary to traditional media. Many states understand the importance of interaction between mass media and law enforcement agencies and are actively implementing their methods of promoting newsmaking criminology online. This article points out the risks that arise in media coverage of law enforcement and crime. One of such risks is the cancel culture, which is spontaneous, unpredictable in nature, and may jeopardize the quality of life of the victim or business reputation and activity of organizations.

Scientific novelty: the functions performed by newsmaking criminology in the study of traditional and alternative media were identified. So far, such doctrine has not been sufficiently researched taking into account modern forms of mass communication. Examples of interaction between law enforcement agencies of different states and the media were analyzed.

Practical significance: the study contributes to understanding the correlation between criminological phenomena and modern media platforms. The Internet and social networks provide new channels of information exchange that differ significantly from traditional media such as printed media or television.
Generative artificial intelligence in education: an umbrella review of applications and challenges
Authors: Namoun Abdallah , Ibrahim Isa Ali , Mustafa Ehzaz , Alrehaili Ahmed , Tufail Ali , Shuja Junaid , Bilal Kashif , Alanazi Meshari Huwaytim
Published: November 2024

Multimodal generative artificial intelligence is revolutionizing critical domains, including education, healthcare, business, and entertainment. This article presents a comprehensive umbrella review of prominent surveys, reviews, and SLRs on advances in generative AI in teaching and learning, synthesizing its applications, benefits, challenges, and implications. We applied the systematic literature review (SLR) protocol and PRISMA framework to guide our search methodology and screen the relevant studies to ensure accuracy and replicability and reduce bias. We searched three popular academic databases, namely Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, screening 451 candidate articles published between 2020 and 2024. From these, we identified 46 relevant GenAI reviews in education. Our investigation of the reviews answered five research questions covering the academic disciplines adopting generative AI, applications of large multimodal models in education, their impact on student performance, their impact on teaching and assessment, and overarching challenges. Recent trends showed China and the USA as leading publishers of GenAI reviews, ChatGPT as the most popular GenAI tool used in education, and text as the primary modality of interaction among students and teachers. Several reviews explored the application of generative AI in multiple academic disciplines instead of a single domain. Students use GenAI tools to understand complex notions, learn foreign languages, improve writing skills, prepare for assessments, and enhance engagement. However, teachers apply GenAI tools to develop course materials, improve pedagogical methods, design various assessments, evaluate learning outcomes, and provide personalized feedback. We conclude our umbrella review by presenting a taxonomy of challenges impeding the adoption of multimodal generative AI in teaching and learning. Key issues of GenAI include academic dishonesty, negative impacts on critical thinking skills, integration with traditional teaching philosophies, and lack of emotional intelligence in generative AI platforms.
Spatiotemporal variation of Hetao irrigation area in Bayannur City based on remote sensing data
Authors: wang baolin , bao junwei , Wulan tuya
Published: November 2024

The Hetao irrigation area is a significant agricultural region in Bayannur City, renowned for its vital role in food production. However, it faces challenges such as soil salinization that threaten its sustainability. This study utilizes remote sensing data to examine the spatiotemporal variation in the Hetao irrigation area over a 30-year period (1989-2019). Through advanced analytical techniques, the paper unveils the changes in soil salinity, land use, and the extent of abandoned and salinized farmland. The findings contribute to better agricultural practices and inform future research directions in the region.
Interaction between LdCen1 and LdDRP in Leishmania donovani is crucial for survival in host by facilitating the parasite’s UV-induced DNA damage repair
Authors: Roshanara Roshanara , Tandon Rati , Puri Niti , Selvapandiyan A.
Published: November 2024

Leishmania donovani is the causative agent of the fatal visceral leishmaniasis (VL) disease in humans in the tropical regions, mainly the Indian Subcontinent and Africa. We have previously described centrin1, a basal body associated cell division specific protein in this parasite important for the parasite’s host intracellular stage. In this study, we identified a novel centrin1-binding protein called LdDRP through pull-down and MS/MS analysis, which is a homolog of the XPC protein of humans involved in DNA damage. The protein interaction with LdCen1 was also confirmed through peptide spectrum analysis against the UniProt database. Immunofluorescence analysis confirms that LdDRP is localised within the nucleus, suggesting the protein’s possible role in DNA interaction. The overexpression of three LdDRP forms in the parasite, each fused with HA-tag (LdDRPF [full length] LdDRPN [only N-terminal], and LdDRPC [only C-terminal]), revealed that only LdDRPF and LdDRPC were able to support the retention of the parasite’s shape and promote rapid division following the UV-damage recovery period. This was also correlated to the elevated level of expression of both LdDRPC and LdCen1, by Western blot analysis soon after UV-C exposure in the parasites compared to control. The study emphasizes the role of the LdDRP, and its crucial domains involved in the DNA binding process, DNA damage response, and interaction with centrin, particularly in response to UV-C light-induced DNA damage.
Growth in the first two years in children born to mothers infected with COVID-19 during pregnancy: َ A cohort study
Authors: Biglari Habibe Nejad , Ahmadi Atefeh , Pouredalati Malihe , Kalantari Forouzandeh , Kargar Effat , Tezerji Farzaneh Salajegheh , Dadshahi Sahebeh , Alidousti Katayoun , Afshar Parya Jangipour , Ghazanfarpour Masumeh , Janipour Fatemeh , Heidari Fariba
Published: November 2024

Introduction:
Because the impact of COVID-19 on the growth of infants whose mothers were infected with this virus during pregnancy is unclear, this study investigated the effect of mothers’ infection with this virus during pregnancy on their infant's growth during the first two years of life.
Method
In this prospective cohort study, the available information from 697 mothers referring to Iran’s health care centers for pregnancy and breastfeeding care was used to compare the growth of 367 children born to mothers infected with COVID-19 during pregnancy with that of 330 children born to mothers who were not infected and not exposed to COVID-19 during pregnancy. Their growth was evaluated for two years.
Results
Concerning the weight, height, and head circumference 6 months, 12 months, and 24 months after birth, although the values obtained in the exposed group were slightly higher than the non-exposed group, no statistically significant difference was observed (P > 0.05). Comparing the exposed group's growth indices (weight, height, and head circumference) based on whether the mother was infected with COVID-19 during the first, second, or third trimester showed no significant difference (P > 0.05). The birth height of the babies whose mothers infected with COVID-19 in the first and second trimesters of pregnancy was slightly lower than those whose mothers were infected in the third trimester (P = 0.019). Children in the exposed group weighed 76.61 grams more than those in the non-exposed group (P = 0.018).
Conclusion
More long-term studies in different populations about growth of children are needed to generalized the findings.
Escherichia coli combination with PD-1 blockade synergistically enhances immunotherapy in glioblastoma multiforme by regulating the immune cells
Authors: Li Guochen , Yang Haiyan , Ke Tengfei , Tan Na , Du Xiaolan , Duan Xirui , Zhou Xinyan , Zheng Guangrong , Liao Chengde
Published: November 2024

Background: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and aggressive primary intracranial malignancy. It is characterized by insufficient infiltration of anti-tumor T lymphocytes within the tumor microenvironment (TME), rendering it an "immune cold" disease. This immune deficiency results in poor responses to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapies. Recent studies have demonstrated that bacteria can proliferate within tumors and activate immune responses. Therefore, in this study, we employed Escherichia coli (E. coli) in combination with anti-PD-1 antibodies to treat GBM, with the aim of exploring the immune-activating potential of E. coli in GBM and its synergistic effect on anti-PD-1 therapy.
Methods: The E. coli and anti-PD-1 antibody was administered intravenously and intraperitoneally, respectively. Complete blood cell count, blood biochemical analysis, hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, and agar plate culture were employed to evaluate the biosafety and tumor-targeting capability of E. coli. ELISA kits were used to detect innate immune cytokines. Flow cytometry and immunofluorescence staining were used to investigate T cells. Tumor volume of tumor-bearing mice was recorded to evaluate the combined treatment efficacy. H&E staining and immunofluorescence staining were used to observe the tumor inhibition markers.
Results: E. coli can specifically target into the tumor region, and activate the innate immune response in mice. Immunofluorescence staining and flow cytometry results demonstrated that the combination treatment group exhibited a significant upregulation of cytotoxic CD8+ T cells and a marked suppression of regulatory T cells compared to the control group. The expression of Ki67 was significantly downregulated, and TUNEL staining revealed an increased number of apoptotic cells in the combination treatment group. Furthermore, the tumor growth rate in the combination treatment group was significantly slower than that in the control group.
Conclusions: E. coli exhibits potential antit-umor activity and can activate the innate immune response and further regulate immune cells in the tumor tissues to synergize the effect of anti-PD-1 therapy on GBM, providing new insights to enhance the efficacy of GBM immunotherapy.
A Conceptual Design of Water Circulation in an Urban Environment: Towards Eco-solidarity with Economic and Social Values
Authors: Karamouz Mohammad , Kolahdouz Sahar
Published: November 2024

Rivers bring vitality to a city and its environment, but today, due to the lack of water for essential purposes in many regions of the world, many urban rivers do not have instream flow. To rectify this, first a minimum flow of water required to make the river visible is determined, and then the possibility of recirculating water is explored. Ecotourism in the context of eco-solidarity is defined as responsible travel to natural areas that preserves the environment, sustains the wellbeing of local people, and involves “interpretation and education”. Isfahan is a unique tourism hub in Iran and the region has faced significant environmental and economic changes. Unlike before, there is no permanent flow in the Zayandeh-Rud River passing through the city. This study evaluates the two alternatives of the river without and with water recirculation with uncertain multi-criteria decision-making method (MCDM) and measure an Eco-Index. A detailed uncertainty and cost-benefits analysis including tourists' income, the capital cost, as well as some losses to agricultural sector are performed. Assuming 12% as an upper bound for the growth of tourists with the water recirculation scenario, the first-year net benefit will be at least $240 million. Also, by examining the growth in tourism in the three countries of Chile, Greece and the UAE, prior to Covid 19, the net benefit is also estimated. Under different possible scenarios over a 20-year time horizon, it could be as much as $3.64 billion that will significantly change the economic prosperity of the city and the region.
Microbial functional diversity indicators in vineyard soils under organic and biodynamic land management
Authors: Bublitz Tabata Aline , Rodas-Gaitan Heberto , Joergensen Rainer Georg , Masson Vincent , Fritz Jürgen
Published: November 2024

Background: An on-vineyard approach was used to investigate the effects of biodynamic (BD) preparations on microbial functional diversity and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) in four vineyards on different bedrocks under organic management.
Methods: Soil organic carbon (SOC), total N, microbial biomass carbon (MBC), multi substrate-induced respiration (MSIR), with 17 substrates and H2O, EPS, and glomalin-related soil protein (GRSP) were measured in soils taken from vineyards without (BD-) and with (BD+) biodynamic preparations.
Results: The vineyards with BD preparations had improved all soil chemical and biological properties. The MSIR approach was again able to separate clearly BD+ and BD-, confirming previous studies. The glomalin-related soil protein (GRSP) was negatively related to the microbial respiratory response of all substrates added.
Conclusions: Lower ratios of EPS-carbohydrates and particularly EPS-protein indicate that soil microorganisms have to divert less substrate to the formation of EPS, so that more of a substrate can be used for the production of microbial biomass.
Bridging the Digital Divide: The Impact of Women's Internet Access on Dietary Diversity in Ivory Coast
Authors: Tabetando Rayner , Mugizi Francisco , Fani Djomo Choumbou Raoul
Published: November 2024

Our study uses recent Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) data to estimate the impact of women's internet access on dietary diversity in Ivory Coast. Utilizing different estimation and identification strategies with robustness checks, we show that internet use is associated with imporved dietary diversity for rural women, measured as the minimum dietary diversity for women and the minimum adequacy diversity diet. We do not find any significant association association between internet use and dietary outcomes for urban women. Additionally, crucial food categories such as fruits, vitamin-A rich leafy vegetables, and pulses and nuts are poorly consumed among in both groups, resulting in only 30 percent of women meeting the minimum adequacy diversity diet. To improve dietary diversity, we recommend leveraging the internet to promote targeted programs that encourage the consumption of fruits, vitamin-A rich leafy vegetables, and pulses and nuts through educational campaigns, improved access, and initiatives integrating these foods into local diets
Jel codes:I15, I38,033
Enhanced RT-DETR for Traffic Sign Detection:Small Object Precision and Lightweight Design
Authors: Lu Lu Liang , Li Xiang Li , Wu Yun Wu , Chen Boyuan Chen
Published: November 2024

Traffic sign detection and recognition are essential for autonomous and assisted driving systems, playing a critical role in enhancing road safety and aiding driving decisions. This paper addresses two main challenges in traffic sign detection and recognition: small object detection and model lightweighting. Small object detection is challenging because traffic signs, particularly when viewed from a distance, occupy a small portion of the image and lack sufficient visual features for effective recognition. Model lightweighting is necessary for real-time processing and edge deployment in unmanned and assisted driving systems, requiring the model to be both accurate and efficient in terms of parameters and computational requirements.
To address these challenges, we enhance the Transformer-based RT-DETR model by optimizing the backbone network with a ContextGuided down-sampling ResNet and incorporating BiFormer attention mechanisms. We also augment the CCFM neck network with a Slim-neck module and a Dysample up-sampling module. Furthermore, we combine Inner-IoU and Focaler-IoU in the loss function. Experimental results show that our improved RT-DETR model outperforms the baseline model, increasing mAP0.5 by 3.8%, mAP0.95 by 2.6%, precision by 1.5%, recall by 1.3%, and FPS by 5 frames, while reducing the number of parameters by 0.5M and GFLOPs by 0.9. These improvements demonstrate significant advancements in the precision of small object detection and the lightweighting of the model.
Climate change impacts on the potential distribution of Vatica lanceaefolia (Roxb.) Blume, a critically endangered tree species of Northeastern India
Authors: Bhuyan Anubhav , Hazarika Suhasini , Baidya Shilpa , Sarma Kuladip , Thakur Bijay , Prakash Amit , Devi Ashalata
Published: November 2024

Vatica lanceaefolia, a critically endangered tree species, found in Northeast India, Bangladesh, and Myanmar is being exposed to threat due to significant habitat loss and overexploitation. Therefore, it is imperative to intervene in conservation efforts by effectively identifying and assessing the present and future habitats of the species to take necessary measures for their protection. This study aims to assess the suitable habitat of V. lanceaefolia considering both present and future scenarios in Northeast India by employing different species distribution modeling (SDM) techniques. An ensemble approach, incorporating five SDMs- Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt), Random Forest (RF), Generalized Linear Models (GLM), Support Vector Machine (SVM), and Multivariate Adaptive Regression Spline (MARS) is used in this study. Twenty-one independent occurrence points of V. lanceaefolia were used to model its current and future distribution, along with 23 environmental variables including bioclimatic factors, topographical factors, evapotranspiration, and soil data were used to predict the potential habitat of V. lanceaefolia under both current and future climate scenarios (SSP245 and SSP585) given by global climate model (GCM), HadGEM3-GC31-LL. The evaluation of the ensemble model showed excellent performance based on AUC (0.88) and TSS value (0.65). The findings revealed that 2597.69 km2 (0.99% of the total geographical area, i.e. 262,184 km2) was identified as a highly suitable habitat for the species in the current scenario. According to model projections, the highly suitable area is predicted to decrease by more than 59.00% from 2597.69 km2 to 1065.14 km2, under the SSP245 scenario in the year 2061–2080 in the future climate. The present findings underscore the urgent need for implementing suitable conservation measures to mitigate the impacts of climate change on the species. To adequately address habitat loss due to deforestation and urban expansion, it is crucial to prioritize habitat restoration, targeted protective measures, and additional species-level ecological research of individual species.
Cost-Effectiveness of Folic Acid Supplementation Strategies for Preventing Neural Tube Defects in Ethiopia: A Markov Model Analysis
Authors: Tufa Biniam , Mengiste Hirut , Derash Manaye , Sebsibe Gashaw , Tesfaye Hana
Published: November 2024

Background
Neural tube defects (NTDs) are congenital malformations of the brain and spinal cord that result from the incomplete development of the central nervous system. NTDs impose severe lifelong medical and socioeconomic burdens, particularly in low-resource settings such as Ethiopia. Despite the prevalence of NTDs in Africa, including Ethiopia, there is a lack of epidemiological studies on the condition. This study aims to assess the cost-effectiveness of folic acid supplementation for the prevention of NTDs in pregnant women of childbearing age in Ethiopia.
Methods
A Markov model was constructed to compare the cost and effectiveness of folic acid 0.05 mg supplementation using a restricted societal perspective. Three supplementation strategies were evaluated: supplementation during pregnancy, supplementation when women plan pregnancy, and supplementation for all women of childbearing age.
Results
pre-conception folic acid use resulted in higher quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) of 0.87, compared to 0.71 QALYs for use at conception. Lifetime costs were $262.8 for folic acid use during conception, $309.7 for pre-conception, and $779.3 for use throughout the childbearing years. Pre-conception and childbearing age use increased QALYs by 0.16 at incremental costs of $46.94 and $516.54, respectively. The cost per QALY was $370.7 for conception, $354.4 for pre-conception, and $891.8 for childbearing age use. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) for pre-conception compared to conception was $284.6 per QALY, below the willingness-to-pay threshold of $783, indicating pre-conception use as a cost-effective strategy. Net monetary benefits (NMB) were $374.6 for pre-conception use, $292.4 for conception, and -$95.1 for childbearing age use, highlighting pre-conception as the most cost-effective approach in preventing NTDs in Ethiopia.
Conclusion
Pre-conception folic acid supplementation is the most cost-effective approach for preventing NTDs in Ethiopia, yielding greater quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) at a lower incremental cost compared to supplementation at conception or throughout the childbearing years. The favourable incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) and net monetary benefit (NMB) affirm the economic value of pre-conception use, supporting its prioritization as a public health strategy for NTD prevention.