bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
INTERNATIONAL SANCTIONS AS A FACTOR IN THE REALISATION OF UKRAINE'S NATIONAL INTERESTS (IN THE CONTEXT OF THE ARMED AGGRESSION OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION)
Authors:   Kyiv Institute of the National Guard of Ukraine, Tkachenko Oleksandr
Published: October 2024

The article investigates the influence of the sanctions policy of the European Union and individual countries in counteracting the military armed aggression of the russian federation against Ukraine. The attention is paid to the possibilities of restoring Ukraine's national interests. The author reviews the areas and industries of the russian federation subject to sanctions restrictions, as well as the consequences of their impact on development opportunities. The dependence of globalisation processes, international politics and economic processes in imposing sanctions on a country that violates international law and security is established. It has been concluded that sanctions policy towards the aggressor state is effective in the short and long term. The author emphasises the importance of developing mechanisms that would make it impossible to circumvent international sanctions with the help of third countries and private companies.
PREREQUISITES FOR THE FORMATION OF LEADERSHIP IN OFFICERS OF THE STATE BORDER GUARD SERVICE OF UKRAINE
Authors:   Bohdan Khmelnytskyi National Academy of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, Torichnyi Vadym , Fedorchuk Anatolii ,   Bohdan Khmelnytskyi National Academy of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, Hluzdan Oleksii ,   Bohdan Khmelnytskyi National Academy of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine
Published: October 2024

The topical issue of leadership in the security and defense sector of Ukraine, in particular in the State Border Guard Service, is considered. The definition of the terms "leader", "leadership" is given. The importance of leadership in modern Ukrainian society and its social institutions is substantiated. The main prerequisites for the formation of leadership in officers of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine is determined.
PECULIARITIES OF APPLICATION OF THE RAPID RESPONSE BORDER COMMAND IN THE DE-OCCUPIED AREAS OF THE STATE BORDER
Authors:   Bohdan Khmelnytskyi National Academy of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, Tretiak Dmytro , Karasov Dmytro ,   Bohdan Khmelnytskyi National Academy of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine
Published: October 2024

The article examines the procedure for the protection of the state border by rapid response border commands in the de-occupied areas of the state border. The author analyzes the situation that currently affects the procedure for the use of military units, border guard units and other military formations in the performance of combat and special tasks in the North of Ukraine. The tasks performed by the rapid response border commands while protecting the state border in the de-occupied territories are formulated, and the ways of their practical implementation are determined. The authors consider the option for the use of rapid response border commands as a part of the defense forces in the de-occupied areas of the state border. The procedure for interaction of border units with other units of the defense forces of Ukraine involved in combat missions in the de-occupied territories adjacent to the state border of Ukraine is generalized.
ANALYSIS OF FACTORS THAT DETERMINE THE ACTIVITIES OF THE STATE BORDER GUARD SERVICE OF UKRAINE DURING THE PERFORMANCE OF TASKS IN MILITARY CRISIS SITUATIONS
Authors:   Bohdan Khmelnytskyi National Academy of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, Chornopishchuk Ivan
Published: October 2024

The factors that determine the activities of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine in military crisis situations are studied. The legislative and regulatory framework governing the activities of the bodies and units of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine has been analyzed, as well as the external and internal factors that affect its effectiveness in such conditions. Particular attention is focused on the use of a border guard detachment as the main operational and service unit of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine. The experience of using the bodies and units during the repulsion of the armed aggression of the russian federation against Ukraine from 2014 to the present is studied separately. The author analyses the consequences of the armed aggression and examines the use of bodies and units of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine as part of the Defence Forces of Ukraine. The factors that determine the activities of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine in performing tasks in military crisis situations are summarized. The role and place of the state border protection bodies and units during the performance of tasks in military crisis situations are highlighted.
English Language and Career Development in African Higher Education: An Overview
Authors: Covele Ricardo Pinto Mario , Langa Patricio V. , Swanzy Patrick
Published: October 2024

The internationalization of higher education in most countries is linked to the “global interests” that supplement the supremacy of the English language above academic research functions including conventional research and publications. This paper aims to (1) describe the rationale behind the adoption of the English language in higher education, and (2) to understand the relationship between the English language and career development at African universities. This overview article analyzed relevant resources sourced from databases such as Scopus, Google Scholar, and Web of Science from January 2022 to July 2022 using the PQRS framework as an analytical tool. The analysis of the academic resources identified five main reasons for the adoption of the English language adoption in African universities: ideology, institutional integration, the knowledge society; globalization, and financial dependence. However, there are diverse views about the effect of the English language and career development in universities in Portuguese-speaking countries such as Mozambique. The paper concludes with challenges of English adoption and improvement of language policy schemes for research and publication in a Portuguese-speaking university.
Driving Digitalization: Action Research to Innovate Pronunciation Pedagogies by Building a Virtual Voice Laboratory
Authors: Fan Angel Yim Hung
Published: October 2024

This paper explores the potential of digitalization in supporting English as a Second Language (ESL) students' development of pronunciation skills through a parallel action research. The author created a Virtual Voice Laboratory (VVL) platform to innovate pronunciation pedagogies in higher education; and simultaneously conducted an ongoing action research study to examine three research questions. The questions examined the efficacy of the VVL in facilitating blended learning, self-directed practice, and self-evaluation within a pronunciation course, and its impact on student engagement, participation, and pronunciation skill development. This VVL as a tailormade digital platform was implemented with undergraduate ESL students in Hong Kong's higher education context. It enabled blended learning, wherein students engaged with the mechanics and articulatory movements essential for improving English pronunciation through self-directed practice using the VVL. Adopting an action research methodology, the study investigated the process of implementing digitalization and blended learning strategies. This was achieved through the analysis of student recordings, sound chart comparisons, and qualitative-quantitative feedback collected during a pilot study. The findings reveal nuances of student experiences, their learning trajectories, and the results from the pilot study, illuminating the impacts and outcomes facilitated by the e-learning approach. The research holds valuable implications for integrating digitalization and blended learning in language education, contributing to the ongoing scholarly dialogue on the transformative potential of technology-mediated approaches in fostering dynamic and impactful learning experiences for diverse student populations.
Churchgoing in Edinburgh and Leith, 1836–2016: The Statistical Record
Authors: Field Clive
Published: October 2024

In the ongoing scholarly debate about the secularisation of Scottish (and British) society, churchgoing is one of the few metrics for which longitudinal data exist, albeit fragmentarily. This article assembles and analyses the evidence about levels of church attendance in Scotland’s capital (and second largest) city during the nineteenth to early twenty-first centuries. It draws upon quantitative data (nine religious censuses, with varying methodologies, in 1836, 1851, 1882 and between 1980 and 2016) and qualitative sources (chiefly local newspapers). Relative to population, churchgoing in Edinburgh and Leith appears to have declined continuously since the mid-nineteenth century, in-person attendance standing at an estimated 3.59% of the city’s residents on an average Sunday in 2022–3, somewhat lower than in Glasgow. Possible explanations for this decrease are briefly explored.
The Diverse Origins of Scottish Congregationalism
Authors: Campbell Gordon A.
Published: October 2024

Scholarship on Congregationalism in Scotland has tended to explain its origins as resulting from the gospel preaching of the Haldanes and the general development of evangelical enthusiasm in the late-eighteenth century. However, this article demonstrates the diverse range of factors that contributed to its development and identifies a story of polygenesis.
Reconsidering the Impact of the All Scotland Crusade of 1955 upon Children and Young People
Authors: Jeffrey Kenneth S.
Published: October 2024

Billy Graham led the All Scotland Crusade in Glasgow for six weeks between March and April 1955. 830,670 people attended the events he hosted at the Kelvin Hall, Ibrox and Hampden stadiums, while 19,835 of them responded to his altar call and became inquirers. A significant proportion were children and young people. This paper will examine the immediate, medium-term and long-term effects of the crusade upon this group of people. It will contend maternal influence encouraged a significant number of children and young people to respond to Graham’s altar call, emotion often accompanied their decisions, and many of them underwent an evangelical conversion experience. It will claim many became active participants in the life of their local churches where they received pastoral care and spiritual counselling. It will argue some of them found a vocation in full time Christian ministry and mission, and spent their lives serving the church. Above all, this paper will establish how the lives of several thousands of children and young people were radically transformed through their experience of the All Scotland Crusade in 1955.
DISADVANTAGES OF USING FORENSIC TECHNIQUES IN THE SYSTEM OF COUNTERACTION FACTORS TO THE INVESTIGATION
Authors:   State University of Education, Moscow, Russia, ISAENKO V.N.
Published: October 2024

The article states. that the issues of identifying and overcoming opposition to the investigation have attracted and continue to attract the attention of scientists who have devoted a significant amount of work to the study of relevant problems. The materials of the analysis of investigative practice also indicate the existence and necessity of their solution. Opposition to the investigation is carried out by various actors and in various forms. However, its occurrence is often caused by the inaction of investigators and interrogators. superficially carrying out checks on crime reports. They do not ensure the collection and use of necessary legal and forensic means in establishing their signs, allowing the loss of important information and various objects - carriers of search and evidentiary information, which entails the impossibility of filling in these shortcomings. They are equally obliged to carefully comply with the provisions of the criminal Procedure law on the conduct of investigative and other procedural actions after the initiation of a criminal case, and to make maximum use of the recommendations of private forensic methods for investigating certain types of crimes to ensure comprehensiveness. the completeness and objectivity of their activities, thereby neutralizing attempts to counteract it. According to the author, the organizational and administrative documents of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation and the Prosecutor General's Office of the Russian Federation should focus the attention of investigators more. heads of investigative agencies. Prosecutors are not only responsible for studying them. but also to make full use of private forensic techniques. Reinforcement can ensure: a) more thorough compliance by investigators. investigators of procedural and criminalistic discipline at all stages of pre-trial criminal proceedings; b) a more competent and demanding approach by the heads of investigative bodies, bodies of inquiry, employees of procedural control units of procedural control units. prosecutors to step-by-step analysis and evaluation of materials of pre-trial proceedings; c) prevention and overcoming of obstacles to the investigation caused by its conduct.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN FORENSIC AUTOMOTIVE EXPERTISE
Authors:   Peoples' Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), Moscow, Russia, KOLTYAPIN I.A. , CHESNOKOVA E.V.
Published: October 2024

The purpose of the study. The article deals with topical issues arising from the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) technology into forensic automotive expertise, in particular when solving the problem of establishing the technical condition of a vehicle (vehicle). The essence of any forensic examination, including this kind, is manifested through a set of mandatory elements (signs): the subject, object and methods of solving the tasks set. Conclusions. Changes in the vehicle object due to the introduction of AI technology leads to changes in the subject of expertise and the methods used. The expansion of the subject of expertise invariably affects the competence of the expert - the range of issues that he is competent to solve. In addition, AI performs in two qualities in forensic automotive expertise: 1) an updated object and 2) a tool (technical means) used by an expert to study the updated object. Promising areas of AI use in the study of the technical condition of the vehicle as a type of forensic automotive expertise are computer vision technologies and artificial neural networks.
ORGANIZATIONAL AND LEGAL APPROACHES TO CREATING A LEGAL MECHANISM FOR INTERACTION BETWEEN THE EURASIAN ECONOMIC UNION AND THE WORLD CUSTOMS ORGANIZATION
Authors:   Eurasian Economic Commission, Moscow, Russia, MOZER S.V.
Published: October 2024

The research article was prepared as part of a scientific study conducted by the author on improving the theoretical and legal foundations of customs regulation in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU, Union) in cooperation with the World Customs Organization (WCO). A task. To study the organizational and legal basis for the Union’s implementation of the Strategic Directions for the Development of Eurasian Economic Integration until 2025 in terms of cooperation with the WCO, as well as to develop a legal mechanism for interaction between the EAEU and the WCO. Conclusions. The article analyzes the rules and procedures of the Working Group on Interaction with the WCO, created in the EAEU, and also offers practical proposals for organizing customs cooperation of the Union with an international customs organization. Social Consequences. Conducting a study is associated with the implementation of paragraph 11.7.5. of Strategic Directions for the Development of Eurasian Economic Integration until 2025 in terms of cooperation with the WCO, as well as Memorandum of Understanding between the Eurasian Economic Commission and the World Customs Organization dated June 17, 2016. Practical value. The results of the study are of interest to the customs cooperation block of the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) and can be used by specialists of the customs authorities of the Member States of the Union, the EEC experts to organize strategic planning and to form the legal foundations for the modernization of the Union's law. Originality/value. The research material is based on an analysis of the practical aspects of the activities of the Commission, the Customs Services of the Union Member States, the WCO and is the result of a comprehensive study of the issue of improving international customs cooperation.
Analysis of The Management of Early Breastfeeding Initiation in The Era of New Habits from The Mother's Side
Authors: Trianingsih Indah , Marlina Marlina , Wastiani Ima , Sari Adinda Juwita
Published: October 2024

Introduction: Early breastfeeding initiation is vital for newborn health, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, which has necessitated new health protocols. This study examines the management of early breastfeeding initiation from the mother's perspective, focusing on their knowledge and attitudes toward adherence to COVID-19 safety measures. Methods: A cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted with 109 mothers giving birth at midwives' independent practices in Bandar Lampung in 2023, using purposive sampling. Data were collected on maternal knowledge, attitudes, and compliance with COVID-19 protocols during early breastfeeding. Frequency distribution and Spearman Rank's Correlation were used for data analysis. Results: Out of 102 respondents, 91.7% demonstrated good knowledge about early breastfeeding initiation, and 90.8% had a positive attitude towards its management. Compliance with COVID-19 protocols was observed in 64.2% of the participants. The Spearman Rank’s Correlation analysis showed a p-value of 0.000, indicating a significant relationship between maternal knowledge and attitudes and the management of early breastfeeding. Conclusion:The findings suggest that better knowledge and positive attitudes among mothers are associated with greater adherence to COVID-19 protocols in early breastfeeding initiation. These factors are crucial for effective breastfeeding practices during the pandemic.
Nutritional Optimization: Chronic Energy Deficiency Intervention for Pregnant Women by Consuming Sandwich Biscuits and Chicken Eggs
Authors: Sirait Lenny Irmawaty , Nurhidayah Munda Bay , Aritonang Tetty Rina
Published: October 2024

Introduction: Chronic Energy Deficiency (CED) is a prolonged nutritional condition resulting from insufficient energy intake, which can increase the risk of anemia, preeclampsia, infections, and impaired fetal growth. CED also contributes to preterm birth, low birth weight (LBW), and congenital anomalies and raises the risk of cognitive decline and chronic diseases later in life. Objective: To explore the effectiveness of nutritional optimization through consuming sandwich biscuits and boiled eggs among pregnant women with CED. Method: This study employed a true experimental design with two pretest-posttest groups, involving 20 pregnant women in their second and third trimesters with CED. The intervention group (n=10) consumed 3 sandwich biscuits and 2 boiled eggs daily, while the control group (n=10) consumed 3 sandwich biscuits daily, both for 30 days. Measurements included upper arm circumference (UAC) and body weight (BW), analyzed using independent t-tests and paired t-tests. Results: The intervention group showed a significant increase in UAC (from 22.1 to 23.9 cm) and BW (from 43.2 to 45.4 kg), with mean differences of 1.8 cm and 2.2 kg, respectively (p=0.000). The control group also showed significant increases in UAC (from 22.2 to 23.6 cm) and BW (from 43.8 to 45.3 kg), with mean differences of 1.4 cm and 1.5 kg, respectively (p=0.000). Conclusion: The combined consumption of sandwich biscuits and boiled eggs significantly improves UAC and BW, indicating its potential to reduce CED risk in pregnant women. Further research is needed to understand better CED, particularly in relation to UAC and BW changes.
Biomechanical investigation of positive reduction in the femoral neck fracture: a finite element analysis
Authors: Zhou Xiang , Li Xishan , Böker Kai Oliver , Schilling Arndt F. , Lehmann Wolfgang
Published: October 2024

Background

Gotfried positive reduction offers an alternative strategy for femoral neck fracture (FNF) when achieving anatomical reduction is challenging. However, the biomechanical consequences of positive reduction remain unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the biomechanical behavior of positive reduction across different Pauwels classification, providing a reference for quantifying positive reduction in clinical practice.

Methods

Three-dimensional (3D) models of FNF were established and categorized according to the Pauwels classifications (Pauwels I, II, and III), each of them contained seven models with different reduction qualities, including an anatomical reduction model, two negative reduction models, and four positive reduction models, all of which were stabilized with dynamic hip screws (DHS) and cannulated screws (CS). We investigated the maximal von-Mises stress of internal fixation and proximal femoral, femoral fragment displacement, and maximal von-Mises strain at the proximal fragment fracture site when a 2100 N load was applied to the femoral head.

Results

The maximum von-Mises stress on the internal fixators in each Pauwels group was lowest in the anatomical reduction model. In the Pauwels I group, positive reduction exceeding 3 mm resulted in the maximum von-Mises stress on the internal fixators surpassing that of the negative reduction model. For the Pauwels II group, positive reduction beyond 2 mm led to the maximum von-Mises stress on the internal fixators exceeding that of the negative reduction model. In the Pauwels III group, positive reduction beyond 1 mm caused the maximum von-Mises stress on the internal fixators to be higher than that of the negative reduction model. The maximum von-Mises strain at the fracture site of proximal femur fragment increased with positive reduction. Varus displacement increased in positive reduction models as the Pauwels angle rose, potentially exacerbating rotation deformity in Pauwels III group.

Conclusion

Excessive positive reduction may increase the risk of FNF failure after internal fixation. From a biomechanical stability perspective, positive reduction should be limited to 3 mm or below in the Pauwels I group, restricted to not exceed 2 mm in the Pauwels II group, and should not exceed 1 mm in the Pauwels III group. Negative reduction should be avoided in all Pauwels groups.
Correlation between the biomechanical characteristics and stability of the 143D movement during the balance phase in competitive Tai Chi
Authors: Huang Ruifeng , Ma Yong , Lin Shijie , Zheng Weitao , Liu Lin , Jia Mengyao
Published: October 2024

Objective

To explore the biomechanical factors affecting the stability of athletes in the 143D balance phase of competitive Tai Chi.

Method

The Vicon 3D motion capture system, Kistler 3D force platform, and Noraxon surface electromyography (sEMG) system were used to measure the joint angle, joint moment, center of gravity, ground reaction force, and sEMG data of athletes. The stability index was then calculated according to the formula. Pearson’s or Spearman’s correlation tests were used to analyze the associations between the biomechanical factors and stability index.

Results

(1) Medial lateral stability index (MLSI): A significant negative correlation was found between the ankle inversion angle of the supporting leg (SL) and MLSI (p < 0.05). (2) Anterior posterior stability index (APSI): Significant negative correlations were observed between the ankle intorsion angle, integrated electromyography (iEMG) of the gastrocnemius, and muscle contribution rates of the tibialis anterior, external oblique, and gastrocnemius of the non-supporting leg (NL) with the APSI (p < 0.05). The ankle dorsiflexion moment, iEMG of the rectus femoris and tibialis anterior, muscle contribution rate of the biceps femoris, and root mean-squared (RMS) amplitude of the gluteus maximus of the SL also showed significant negative correlations with the APSI (p < 0.05). Strong and significant negative correlations were also identified between the hip intorsion angle, iEMG of the tibialis anterior, and RMS amplitude of the rectus femoris of the NL with the APSI (p < 0.01). Further strong and significant negative correlation was also found between the RMS amplitude of the biceps femoris of the SL and APSI (p < 0.01). The knee extorsion angle of the NL was positively correlated with the APSI (p < 0.05). (3) Dynamic postural stability index (DPSI): The knee adduction angle, iEMG of the tibialis anterior, and RMS amplitude of the erector spinae of the NL were significantly positively correlated with the DPSI (p < 0.05). The knee abduction and hip extension moments of the SL were also significantly positively correlated with the DPSI (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

The ankle inversion angle of the SL impacts left–right stability, while the NL’s hip and ankle intorsion angles, knee extorsion angle, and exertion on the core muscle and SL’s main muscles, as well as exertion of specific muscles of the NL affect anterior–posterior stability. The hip extension and knee abduction moments of the SL, knee adduction angle, exertion on the tibialis anterior, and activation of the erector spinae of the NL significantly affect the overall stability of an athlete.
Biosynthesis of novel non-proteinogenic amino acids β-hydroxyenduracididine and β-methylphenylalanine in Escherichia coli
Authors: Gillane Rosemary , Daygon Dara , Khalil Zeinab G. , Marcellin Esteban
Published: October 2024

Non-proteinogenic amino acids (npAAs) are valuable building blocks for the development of advanced pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals. The surge in interest in their synthesis is primarily due to the potential to enhance and diversify existing bioactive molecules. This can be achieved by altering these bioactive molecules to improve their effectiveness, reducing resistance compared to their natural counterparts or generating molecules with novel functions. Traditional production of npAAs in native hosts requires specialized conditions and complex cultivation media. Furthermore, these compounds are often found in organisms that challenge genetic manipulation. Thus, the recombinant production of these npAAs in a model organism like Escherichia coli paves the way for groundbreaking advancements in synthetic biology. Two synthetic operons, comprising of five heterologous proteins were genomically integrated into E. coli for the synthesis of npAAs β-methylphenylalanine (BmePhe), β-hydroxyenduracididine (BhEnd), and enduracididine (End). Proteomic and metabolomic analysis confirmed production of these compounds in E. coli for the first time. Interestingly, we discovered that the exogenous addition of pathway precursors to the E. coli system enhanced the yield of BmePhe by 2.5 times, whereas it concurrently attenuated the production of BhEnd and End, signifying a selective precursor-dependent yield enhancement. The synthetic biology landscape is broadened in this study by expanding the repertoire of amino acids beyond the conventional set of 22 standard proteinogenic amino acids. The biosynthesized npAAs, End, BhEnd, and BmePhe hold promise for engineering proteins with modified functions, integrating into novel metabolites and/or enhancing biological stability and activity. Additionally, these amino acids’ biological production and subsequent purification present an alternative to traditional chemical synthesis methods, paving a direct pathway for pharmacological evaluation.
Asymmetric dimethylarginine induces maladaptive function of the blood-brain barrier
Authors: Buzhdygan Tetyana P. , Ramirez Servio H. , Nenov Miroslav N.
Published: October 2024

Growing body of evidence suggests that cardiovascular risk factor, asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), can be implicated in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders. In part, ADMA can affect brain health negatively modulating critical functions of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). The precise mechanisms and consequences of ADMA action on the cerebral vasculature remains unexplored. Here, we evaluated ADMA-induced maladaptation of BBB functions by analyzing real time electrical cell-substrate impedance, paracellular permeability, immune-endothelial interactions, and inflammatory cytokines production by primary human brain microvascular endothelial cells (hBMVEC) treated with ADMA. We found that ADMA disrupted physical barrier function as evident by significant decrease in electrical resistance and increase in paracellular permeability of hBMVEC monolayers. Next, ADMA triggered immune-endothelial interactions since adhesion of primary human monocytes and their extravasation across the endothelial monolayer both were significantly elevated upon treatment with ADMA. Increased levels of cell adhesion molecules (VCAM-1 and RANTES), VEGF-A and inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10, IL-4, IL-2, IL-13, IL-12p70) characterize ADMA-induced hBMVEC dysfunction as inflammatory. Overall, our data suggest that ADMA can impair BBB functions disrupting the endothelial barrier and eliciting neuroinflammatory and neuroimmune responses.
Identification of porcine PARP11 as a restricted factor for pseudorabies virus
Authors: Qi Chunyun , Zhao Dehua , Wang Xi , Hu Lanxin , Wang Yao , Wu Heyong , Li Feng , Zhou Jian , Zhang Tianyi , Qi Aosi , Huo Yuran , Tu Qiuse , Zhong Shuyu , Yuan Hongming , Lv Dongmei , Yan Shouqing , Ouyang Hongsheng , Pang Daxin , Xie Zicong
Published: October 2024

Introduction

PRV infection in swine can cause devastating disease and pose a potential threat to humans. Advancing the interplay between PRV and host is essential to elucidate the pathogenic mechanism of PRV and identify novel anti-PRV targets.

Methods

PARP11-KO PK-15 cells were firstly constructed by CRISPR/Cas9 technology. Next, the effect of PARP11-KO on PRV infection was determined by RT-qPCR, TCID50 assay, RNA-seq, and western blot.

Results and discussion

In this study, we identified PARP11 as a host factor that can significantly affect PRV infection. Inhibition of PARP11 and knockout of PARP11 can significantly promoted PRV infection. Subsequently, we further found that PARP11 knockout upregulated the transcription of NXF1 and CRM1, resulting in enhanced transcription of viral genes. Furthermore, we also found that PARP11 knockout could activate the autophagy pathway and suppress the mTOR pathway during PRV infection. These findings could provide insight into the mechanism in which PARP11 participated during PRV infection and offer a potential target to develop anti-PRV therapies.
Insights into the intestinal microbiota of Exopalaemon annandalei and Exopalaemon carinicauda in the Yangtze River estuary
Authors: Wang Jiahao , Feng Guangpeng , Han Zhiqiang , Zhang Tao , Chen Jinhui , Wu Jianhui
Published: October 2024

Summary: The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in food webs, carbon cycling, and related elements. Exopalaemon annandalei and Exopalaemon carinicauda are two important forage species in the Yangtze River estuary with extremely similar living habits and morphological characteristics. Exploring the microorganisms in the guts of these two shrimp species can help us understand the survival status of forage species and gut microbiota in the Yangtze River estuary. Therefore, this study analyzed the similarities and differences in the intestinal flora of E. annandalei and E. carinicauda through high-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA gene amplicons. The results showed that the dominant bacteria in the intestinal flora of E. annandalei and E. carinicauda at the phylum level were Proteobacteria and Firmicutes, respectively. At the genus level, the intestinal flora had higher concentrations of Psychrobacter, Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter, and Macrococcus. In both shrimp species, the contents of Acinetobacter and Macrococcus were higher in spring than in winter. The most important potential functions of the intestinal microbiota were amino acid metabolism and purine metabolism. Additionally, the functions of metabolism and diseases in the intestinal microbiota of E. annandalei were greatly influenced by the season. Furthermore, the experimental results indicated that a lower ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes was associated with a larger body weight in shrimp. Overall, this study provides a theoretical reference for understanding the intestinal bacterial community of shrimp in estuaries and the healthy cultivation of E. annandalei and E. carinicauda.
Where injustices (fail to) meet: newspaper coverage of speciesism, animal rights, and racism
Authors: Kinefuchi Etsuko
Published: October 2024

This study examines the ways widely circulated U.S. newspapers have articulated the idea of “speciesism” and its associated idea “animal rights” in relation to “racism” to understand how powerful news media helps to shape the public understanding of the interlocking systems of oppression that cuts across the human and the more-than-human world. The archives (1987 to 2023) of three U.S. newspapers – The New York Times, USA Today, and The Washington Post – were analyzed, using qualitative content analysis. The ideas of articulation, symbolic annihilation, erasure, and discursive closure served as the analytical guides for the analysis. The analysis shows that there is gross underrepresentation of speciesism and even far less representation of the relationship between speciesism and racism and between animal rights and anti-racism. When represented, the articulations showed problematic patterns of erasure of those concepts and relationships. The paper ends with the implications of the findings.
Totally 3D endoscopic aortic valve replacement: initial results and experience from a single center
Authors: Nguyen Huu Cong , Pham Dat Thanh
Published: October 2024

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and initial outcomes of totally endoscopic aortic valve replacement (TEAVR) performed via a single working port at the fourth intercostal space (ICS) utilizing a 3D endoscopic system.

Methods

A retrospective observational study was conducted on 35 consecutive patients who underwent TEAVR over a six-month period from December 2023 to June 2024. Patient selection was based on the presence of isolated aortic valve disease without the need for ascending aorta replacement or aortic root enlargement. A 4 cm single working port was created at the 4th ICS, extending from the right mid-axillary to the anterior axillary line. A 10-mm trocar for a 3D endoscope was placed at the right anterior-axillary line. Peripheral cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) was established. The primary outcomes investigated included the success rate of the procedure, in-hospital mortality, and perioperative complications.

Results

The mean age of the patients was 58.7 ± 12.8 years, with 22.9% being female. The majority of patients (77.1%) presented with aortic stenosis, often accompanied by severe calcification. The medianCPB time was 210 ± 43 min, and the median aortic cross-clamp time was 132 ± 41 min. The procedure was successfully completed in all patients using the endoscopic approach, with no conversions to full sternotomy. Two mortalities were recorded, attributed to postoperative complications including bleeding and cerebral infarctions. The early (30-day) mortality rate was 5.7%. Prolonged mechanical ventilation (>48 h) was required in 17.1% of patients, and reoperation for bleeding was necessary in 2.9% of patients.

Conclusions

TEAVR is a feasible procedure with the potential to replace the traditional sternotomy approach for aortic valve replacement.
Three-year clinical performance of direct restorations using low-shrinkage Giomer vs. nano-hybrid resin composite
Authors: Toz-Akalin Tugba , Öztürk-Bozkurt Funda , Kusdemir Mahmut , Özsoy Alev , Yüzbaşıoğlu Emir , Özcan Mutlu
Published: October 2024

Objectives

The objective of this investigation was to compare the clinical performance of a nano-hybrid resin composite and a low-shrinkage Giomer resin composite.

Material and methods

In total, 35 pairs of restorations were performed using either low-shrinkage Giomer (Beautifil II LS, Shofu Inc.) or nano-hybrid (Clearfil Majesty Posterior) resin composite in 35 patients by two operators using the relevant adhesives, i.e., FL-Bond II (Shofu Inc.) and Clearfil SE Bond (Kuraray), with the self-etching technique according to each manufacturer's instructions. Two clinicians assessed the restorations 2 weeks (baseline); 6 months; and 1, 2, and 3 years after the restorative procedures using FDI (World Dental Federation) criteria (Scores 1–5). Data were analyzed using the marginal homogeneity and McNemar tests. The survival rate was calculated using Kaplan–Meier survival analysis and the survival of the two groups was compared with the log-rank test (p = 0.05).

Results

The mean observation period was 37.7 ± 6.8 months. All restorations completed their 3-year follow-up. The criteria were mainly rated with high (1 or 2) scores for quality in both groups. Only one restoration in the low-shrinkage Giomer resin composite group was accepted as a failure at the 2-year recall due to retention loss.

Conclusion

At the 3-year follow-up, the performance of the restorations using the Giomer and the nano-hybrid resin composite were similar and clinically acceptable.

Clinical relevance

The low-shrinkage Giomer resin composite exhibited a similar clinical performance to the nano-hybrid resin composite after 3 years in service with both materials displaying minor surface deteriorations at the 3-year recall.

Clinical Trial Registration

https://clinicaltrials.gov, identifier: NCT02823769.
A multi-smart agent-based training environment for enhancing 3D graphics production and design thinking skills among elementary computer teachers
Authors: Sorour Shaymaa E. , Ahmed Rahma J. M. , Abd El Aziz Mahmoud I.
Published: October 2024

This study introduces a multi-smart agent-based training environment aimed at enhancing the production of 3D graphics and fostering design-thinking skills among primary-stage computer teachers. This environment offers a collaborative and interactive learning experience using intelligent agents represented as animated characters. The research evaluates the effectiveness of this innovative training approach through experimental groups, demonstrating significant improvements in the cognitive and psychomotor domains of 3D graphics production skills and in developing design thinking. The results underscore the potential of smart agent technology in educational settings, offering a dynamic platform for teacher professional development by integrating modern technological tools and creative problem-solving methodologies. This study pioneers using multi-smart agent environments in primary education, providing a novel framework that significantly enhances educators' skills and prepares them for future technological advancements in teaching.
Multifaceted perception of school climate: association between students’ and teachers’ perceptions and other teacher factors
Authors: Hirata Ikue , Nishimura Tomoko , Osuka Yuko , Wakuta Manabu , Tsukui Nobuaki , Tsuchiya Kenji J. , Senju Atsushi
Published: October 2024

Introduction

This study aimed to investigate whether there is a significant association between teachers’ and students’ perceptions of school climate, and if not, whether teacher factors are associated with the respective perceptions.

Methods

The participants included 1,831 students and 59 homeroom teachers from 11 public elementary and junior high schools in Japan. Multilevel models were used to examine the association between students’ and teachers’ perceptions of school climate.

Results

Of the three teacher-rated school climate scales, only teacher-perceived disciplinary climate was associated with students’ perceptions of school climate. Teachers’ working conditions, such as self-efficacy and stress, were associated with teachers’ perceptions but not students’ perceptions of school climate. Disciplinary climate was associated with students’ perceptions of school climate, even after accounting for the teachers’ working conditions.

Discussion

Items questioning specific student behaviors, such as those included in the disciplinary climate scale, may be effective in avoiding incongruence with student evaluations. Moreover, maintaining disciplinary climate itself is important for students’ positive perceptions of the school climate. A disciplinary climate in which teachers and students share responsibility for learning and classroom organization, and strategies that support positive student behavior are preferable to exclusionary discipline strategies. Incorporating feedback data gathered through classroom observations or student perceptions is also important in resolving the incongruence between teachers’ and students’ perceptions of the school climate.
Exploring digital competencies in higher education: design and validation of instruments for the era of Industry 5.0
Authors: Pelaez-Sanchez Iris Cristina , Glasserman-Morales Leonardo David , Rocha-Feregrino Gerardo
Published: October 2024

Introduction

Industry 5.0 is the next phase of industrial work that integrates robots and artificial intelligence to boost productivity and economic growth. It emphasizes a balance between human creativity and technological precision, built on three pillars: human centrality, sustainability, and resilience. Corporations and educational institutions must adopt an integrated approach to training their future workforce, emphasizing digital and key competencies such as creativity, communication, collaboration, and critical thinking. Higher education institutions must measure digital competencies and other key Industry 5.0 competencies to prepare students for a sustainable future. However, there is a need to identify appropriate scientific instruments that can comprehensively evaluate these competencies.

Methods

This study conducted a Systematic Literature Review to analyze the existing digital competency assessment instruments in higher education from 2013-2023. The focus was on instruments that measure digital competencies and core competencies for Industry 5.0, such as creativity, communication, collaboration, and critical thinking. The search process began with a strategy applied across various databases, including ERIC, Google Scholar, ProQuest, Scopus, and Web of Science, to cover a broad range of literature on the design and validation of digital competency assessment tools.

Results

This search generated a total of 9,563 academic papers. Inclusion, exclusion, and quality filters were applied to select 112 articles for detailed analysis. Among these 112 articles, 46 focused on designing and validating digital competency assessment instruments in higher education. Within the reviewed literature, surveys and questionnaires emerged as the predominant methods utilized for this purpose. This study found a direct relationship between digital competencies and essential skills like communication and critical thinking.

Discussion

The study concludes that assessment tools should integrate a wide range of competencies, and students and educators should be actively involved in developing these skills. Future research should focus on designing tools that effectively evaluate these competencies in dynamic work contexts. Assessment instruments should cover a broader range of competencies, including creativity and collaboration, to meet the demands of Industry 5.0. Reliable assessments of digital competencies and soft skills are crucial, with a need for appropriate reliability tests that do not impact students’ preparedness for labor market challenges.
Using virtual fieldwork to support interprofessional and community-based learning: students from four faculties investigate life on a remote island in Japan
Authors: Yatsushiro Rika , Matsuda Fumiyo , Causer Bo , Inoue Kazuhiro , Kikata Junne , Miura Naoki , Hashimoto Kumiko , Akasaki Yasuaki , Unedaya Keiko
Published: October 2024

Introduction

The Mishima Islands in Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan, are remote islands designated as medically underserved. Supporting the people living in such remote islands requires a multifaceted examination of the livelihoods of the residents, including their health, work, and living environment.

Methods

Students from the faculties of nursing, veterinary science, agriculture, and engineering participated in a 3-day virtual fieldwork session held synchronously from the campus of Kagoshima University and on a remote island in the Mishima Mura island group in Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan. Coursework and post-course surveys were analyzed to determine student engagement and learning. In particular, the analysis considered learning in relation to interprofessional learning and community-based learning.

Results and discussion

Students expressed being able to conduct fieldwork online, collaborate with students from multiple faculties and graduate schools, and apply their expertise. These outcomes were reflected in the five-point Likert scale evaluation responses, highlighting a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. Virtual fieldwork can contribute to student learning by introducing new concepts and allowing them to consider development issues in remote areas from multiple perspectives.
Efficacy of echolaser smart interface-guided laser ablation in volume reduction of symptomatic benign thyroid nodules
Authors: Malik Iftikhar , Mitchell Janeil , Thomas Johnson
Published: October 2024

Background

The management of benign symptomatic thyroid nodules until recent years has been limited to surgery, radioactive iodine treatment, or surveillance which is associated with the burden of morbidity of complications or symptom non-relief as well as cost. Laser ablation has emerged as a minimally invasive alternative, this uses laser energy to thermally ablate nodule tissue, leading to volume reduction and symptom relief. Long-term treatment response data is growing but remains limited in the United States. Our study aims to quantify the effectiveness of laser ablation in reducing the volume of thyroid nodules over a 12 to 18-month period.

Materials and methods

Retrospective review of data was conducted for 63 adults with cytologically benign, solid symptomatic thyroid nodules ranging from 1.333 cm3 to 103.794 cm3 in volume. Ultrasound-guided laser thermal ablation was performed on all nodules using EchoLaser X4 Smart Interface device with 1064 nm diode laser to deliver total ablation energy (joules), calculated per device guidelines. Serial sonographic volume measurements were conducted 1 month, 3 -6 months, 6 - 12 months, and 12 to 18 months post-ablation intervals.

Results

Study cohort was comprised of 63 thyroid nodules. reduction in nodule volume increased progressively over time, with median reductions of 46.05% [STD 21.8] at 1 month, 60.33% [STD 20.1] at 3-6 months, 68.69% [STD 18.8] at 6-12 months, and 64.04% [STD 19.27] at 12-18 months. A total of 62, 56, 42, and 17 nodules had available data for analysis at these respective intervals.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated a marked progressive reduction of thyroid nodule volume following ablation. The treatment appears to be consistently effective in reducing symptoms across a wide range of nodule sizes, although the degree of volume reduction varies. The results of our study underscore the potential of laser ablation as a viable treatment option for thyroid nodules, with a sustained reduction in nodule volume observed over an extended post-procedure period.