bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Structural, physicochemical, and pasting properties of native cassava (Manihot esculenta) and yam (Dioscorea alata) starch blends
Authors: Arroyo-Dagobeth Eduardo David , Figueroa-Flórez Jorge Antonio , Cadena-Chamorro Edith , Rodríguez-Sandoval Eduardo , Salcedo-Mendoza Jairo Guadalupe , Cervera-Ricardo Manuel Antonio
Published: May 2024

Starch blends are a technological alternative aimed at the development of starchy matrices that exhibit improvements in some physicochemical properties from interactions between their individual components. Native cassava and yam starches were mixed in different proportions and the effect of the blend on the structural, physicochemical, and pasting properties was evaluated. The viscosity behavior as a function of temperature revealed a significant non-additive effect on the pasting parameters of all the blends with respect to the individual native starches. Similarly, non-additive variations were evident in the crystallinity index of some mix ratios (NSB-2: 40.11%). Likewise, the difference in the amylose content of each native starch (20.88-25.66%) possibly exerted an effect on the resulting semicrystalline characteristics of the blends and the gelatinization behavior. Hence, the botanical origin and the proportion of starch blends play an important role in the behavior of the resulting physicochemical properties and in vitro digestibility. Polymeric blends were obtained with a low tendency to retrogradation and lower crystallinity index values compared to their native counterparts and a regulated water absorption capacity, all potentially desirable characteristics in the food industry.
Crecimiento de nueve especies de palmas ornamentales cultivadas bajo un gradiente de sombra
Authors: Gutiérrez Marco V. , Jiménez Kenneth
Published: May 2024

Se evaluó el crecimiento de 9 especies de palmas cultivadas bajo un gradiente de sombra producido por mallas de polipropileno negro de 40, 50, 60, 70 y 80% de sombra, más un tratamiento de malla aluminizada de 70%, y uno con plantas a pleno sol. Las especies evaluadas fueron Caryota mitis (cola de pez), Chamaedorea costaricana (pacaya), Chamaedorea tepejilote (tepejilote), Dypsis lutescens (areca), Licuala elegans (licuala), Phoenix roebelenii (fénix), Ptychosperma macarthurii (palma macarthur), Roystonea regia (palma real), y Veitchia merrillii (navideña). Se midió la altura de las plantas, la longitud de las hojas maduras, y el número de hojas cosechadas, durante 5 cosechas por 2 años. En general, la altura de las plantas y la longitud de las hojas fueron menores a 0-40% de sombra, se incrementaron a 50-70%, y decrecieron a 80%. C. mitis, C. tepejilote, L. elegans y P. macarthurii, se comportaron como especies obligadas de sombra y no sobrevivieron a pleno sol. C. costaricana y D. lutescens sobrevivieron a plena exposición solar, y su crecimiento alcanzó valores máximos a 50-60%. P. roebelenii, R. regia, y V. merrillii mostraron un crecimiento reducido a 0-40%, pero éste mejoró bajo los demás niveles de sombra a lo largo del gradiente. En general, 1-2 años es un periodo apropiado para el cultivo de palmas de crecimiento rápido (R. regia, Chamedorea spp., D. lutescens) en casas de mallas. Palmas de lento crecimiento (L. elegans) pueden permanecer 3-5 años en una casa de sombra. Se discute estrategias para el uso de gradientes de sombra en el tiempo y en el espacio, según la utilidad y los requerimientos de las especies, los requisitos establecidos por el mercado, y el ciclo de producción del material vegetal.
Conduction-type conversion in Ni(OH)2 by intercalation of eosin Y
Authors: Abe Koji , Kubota Tasuku , Jian Zhang
Published: May 2024

Nickel hydroxide (Ni(OH)2) is one of the wide bandgap semiconductors. By controlling its conduction type, Ni(OH)2 could be used as a semiconductor material in various applications. Since Ni(OH)2 is a layered material, anions are intercalated into the interlayer spaces. Anion intercalation can be a potential impurity doping technique for Ni(OH)2 films. In this study, we investigated the conduction type of Ni(OH)2 intercalated with eosin Y. Ni(OH)2 films formed by electrochemical deposition were n-type. After the intercalation of eosin Y, the Ni(OH)2 films showed a p-type photocurrent response in photoelectrochemical measurements. The conduction type of the films was changed from n-type to p-type by the intercalation of eosin Y. In addition, the p-type Ni(OH)2 films were used to form heterojunctions. The n-type ZnO/p-type Ni(OH)2 heterojunction diode exhibited a rectifying behavior.

Graphical Abstract
Detection of rising damp and material changes on hyperboloid cooling tower shells based on the intensity of the reflected laser beam
Authors: Makuch Maria
Published: May 2024

Using a hyperboloidal cooling tower undergoing repair as an example, the paper examines the possibility of using a laser beam reflectance intensity value for the automated detection of perforations in cooling tower shells and the identification of material changes characteristic of the renovated sections of reinforced concrete structures. Due to the specific geometry of the analysed object, the practical application of the value of the fourth coordinate was preceded by its a priori modification. The applied correction solution made it possible to effectively eliminate the influence of the measurement geometry, adjusting the intensity values to correspond to the properties of the scanned surface. In the usability analyses of the corrected radiometric data, the author’s approach to eliminating information loss was applied, assuming the use of the fourth coordinate values as scalar fields. The proposed methodology was verified by comparing the obtained results with those of the commonly used unsupervised classification. The agreement, based on the similarity of the structures, between the results of the image classification and the areas extracted through the segmentation of the scalar fields, representing the corrected values of the laser beam reflectance intensity, confirmed the reliability of the proposed solutions. The usefulness of the radiometric data in 3D space was confirmed by comparing the obtained results with the analyses of the local surface curvature determined by the point cloud based on principal component analysis. Thanks to the segmentation of the scalar fields, the detection of rising damp and corrosion leaks, consistent with the results of the surface condition assessment based on the local curvature analysis, made it possible to specify the degree of degradation of the hyperboloid shell according to a seven-point scale that is consistent with the industry requirements. The values of the fourth coordinate also allowed the identification of material changes caused by the repair, and their comparison with the shell damage contours extracted from the local curvature analysis made it possible to verify the amount of repair mortar used and to assess the validity of the work carried out.
Harmonisation of the EGIB, GESUT and BDOT500 conceptual models with the BDOT10k database in terms of data quality and supply
Authors: Ślusarski Marek
Published: May 2024

The main source of supply in the process of creating and updating the BDOT10k database is data from the official EGIB, GESUT, and BDOT500 databases. For this reason, the degree of harmonisation of these datasets is crucial. The study of the level of harmonisation of the EGIB, GESUT, and BDOT500 datasets with the BDOT10k database in terms of data quality and supply was performed by analysing the conceptual models of the discussed spatial data registers. The study of the degree of harmonisation of datasets was performed by classifying the analysed object classes into one of three groups, characterising the consistency of the attribute values: full, partial, and none. Analysing the degree of harmonisation of the conceptual models in terms of spatial data quality, it was found that the possibility of feeding quality properties from the EGIB, GESUT, and BDOT500 databases into BDOT10k is limited. BDOT10k has definitely richer characteristics regarding data quality. Analysing the extent of harmonisation of conceptual models in terms of feeding the data of the BDOT10k database with data from EGIB, GESUT, and BDOT500, significant inconsistencies were found. The data supply from these databases is limited especially in terms of descriptive attributes. Acquisition of geometric axes of linear and surface objects does not pose major technical problems. Potential difficulties will arise from, among others, topological and geometrical errors, such as close proximity of vertices or different segmentation. Correcting the conceptual model of the EGiB, GESUT and BDOT500 databases in order to achieve a high degree of harmonisation with the BDOT10k model is feasible. All that is needed are appropriate institutional formal and legal actions.
Geospatial modeling for enhanced landslide susceptibility mapping in atlas mountains of the northeast of Algeria
Authors: Boudjellal Rania , Fehdi Chemseddine , Baali Fethi
Published: May 2024

This study presents a practical geospatial approach, based on geomatic principles, to create landslide susceptibility maps that meet contemporary landscape and land management priorities. By employing a GIS-based statistical modeling, our methodology seamlessly integrates a wide range of factors including topography, lithology, land use, and precipitation. This comprehensive approach allows for a holistic evaluation of landslide susceptibility. We use two widely recognized multi-criteria techniques, namely the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and the Fuzzy Logic Ratio (FR), which in result produce two distinct yet complementary landslide susceptibility maps (LSMs). The creation of these LSMs relies on a carefully curated dataset of landslides, collected through rigorous analysis of high-resolution satellite imagery, interpretation of aerial photographs, and extensive fieldwork. Eleven key factors are selected to inform the modeling process. To assess the accuracy of the LSMs, we employ ROC curves, with the FR method demonstrating superior predictive performance, achieving an impressive accuracy rate of 75% compared to the AHP model's 65%. These findings highlight the effectiveness of our approach in identifying high landslide susceptibility areas, providing valuable insights for informed land use planning, hazard mitigation strategies, and rapid emergency response measures. The GIS-based statistical modeling technique showcased in this research provides a robust framework for generating precise landslide susceptibility maps in complex mountainous landscapes. This research makes a significant contribution to the evolving field of geomatics, enhancing landscape resilience and promoting sustainable land management practices.
Analysis of the processes leading to the expansion of the municipal real estate stock under Polish conditions, based on a selected example
Authors: Przewięźlikowska Anna , Trembecka Anna
Published: May 2024

One of the most important issues of local government is a proper management of the property stock. This process also includes the acquisition of real estate. The subject of this article is an analysis of the processes leading to the expansion of the municipal real estate stock on the example of a case study based on data from the city of Krakow. The purpose of the study to analyse of the measures applied to acquire real estate for the municipality, using a selected area as an example, to indicate the range of properties acquired through the various modes, and to present the current structure of land owned by the municipality, taking into account the impact of real estate acquisition processes. As a result of the analyses, the processes that result in the expansion of land and the extent to which they affect the municipal property stock were identified in relation to the current land structure of the Municipality. The results of the research confirm that the municipal real estate stock has been most affected by the municipalisation process. Other forms of acquisition, including those under civil law, despite their smaller scale, are nevertheless important for the implementation of the local government tasks and result in the regularisation of the legal status of municipal real estate.
Monumentality, Place-making and Social Interaction on Late Bronze Age Cyprus
Authors: Fisher Kevin D.
Published: May 2024

This book adopts an integrative approach to investigate the role of monumental architecture in shaping social dynamics and power relations on the island of Cyprus during the Late Bronze Age (LBA; c.1700-1050 BCE). Using such an approach, archaeologists studying ancient societies elsewhere can analyze the relationship between the built environment and human behaviour. Monumental buildings on Late Bronze Age Cyprus provided contexts for social interactions, such as ceremonial feasting and cultic rituals, that created social bonds and forged wider community identities, while also materializing social boundaries and inequalities. More than just spaces, these contexts were socially-constructed places, imbued with identity and memory, that played an integral role in social organization during this transformative period. This integrative approach emphasizes the role of buildings in configuring movement and encounter and in serving as the contexts for interactions through which sociopolitical relations are developed, maintained, transformed and reproduced. It investigates this using an interdisciplinary methodology that integrates access analysis with the study of the materiality of built environments and how they encode and communicate meanings and shape the experiences of those who interact with them.
The Maetreum of Cybele
Authors: Tronetti Francesca
Published: May 2024

In 2008, a legal case, “The Maetreum of Cybele, Magna Mater, Inc. v. Nancy McCoy [tax assessor)] &c., et al., for recognition of tax-exempt status between the Maetreum of Cybele, Magna Mater Inc. and the Town of Catskill, New York” began. The court was asked to decide whether the pastoral work of a Pagan church could be viewed in the same way as the clerical work of other accepted religions. The court also needed to determine how much of the landholdings must be dedicated to worship space. The rulings have been cited as precedent in other cases. In addition, they can act as a rallying point for other new religious movements and Pagan groups to fight for equal legal status.
Tara Isabella Burton, Strange Rites: New Religions for a Godless World
Authors: Culpepper Scott
Published: May 2024

Tara Isabella Burton, Strange Rites: New Religions for a Godless World (New York: Public Affairs, 2020), 320 pp. $38 (hardcover), $17.99 (paperback), $12.99 (ebook).
A Private Semi-Markov Model as a Tool to Reduce the Complexity of the Task of Assessing the Stability of the Functioning of Elements of the Information Infrastructure Exposed to Threats
Authors: Voevodin Vladislav
Published: May 2024

Decision-making on information infrastructure (II) security for its sustainable functioning in the face of threats requires a tool to assess the sustainability of its individual elements. The application of the semi-Markov model to assess the stability of the functioning of elements of II exposed to threats in a direct setting is associated with the increasing complexity of the description of the object of delineation (parametric space) in step progression from the number of the considered impacts, which reduces its practical significance. However, no studies have been found in the scientific literature to reduce the complexity of the semi-Markov model. The article presents an approach to reducing the complexity of modeling by adopting correct assumptions when forming the initial data. Given the conditions under which it is possible to take a series. It was a cost to limit the applicability of the model by significantly reducing the complexity of the modelling. The problem statement and the modified transition graph are given. The novelty of the problem statement is to take into account the limitations on the available resources for the restoration of functionality of the element. To explain the physical essence of the modeling process, a thought experiment with a model is introduced. To solve the problem, the following methods were used: a) expert methods for extraction of initial data; b) mathematical models of private semi-Markov processes; c) methods of transformation of Laplace; r) methods of planning of experiment. Illustrative examples and graphs accompany the task sequence demonstration. As a result of the experiment, the regularities of the studied process, the existence of which was proved formally. As a result of the experiment, the regularities of the studied process were revealed, the existence of which was officially proved. The results of the study broaden knowledge about the application of methods of Markov processes to assess the stability of the functioning of AI elements in relation to the conditions of the impact of threats.
The Actors' Symbiosis in the Recurrence of Slums after In-situ Housing Redevelopment Initiatives. Perspectives from Namuwongo Slum, Kampala City
Authors: Mubiru Moses Batanda , Nankya Lydia
Published: May 2024

This paper analyses the influence of various actors in the reoccurrence of slums in the city of Kampala, amidst the slum upgrading initiatives. This paper attributes such reoccurrence to the mismatch between the expectations of the actors involved in upgrading and the housing location mobility attributes of low-income households.
This paper adopted a case study strategy, utilising a mixture of both qualitative and quantitative techniques. A total of 60 semi-structured questionnaires were issued to Namuwongo Slum Community, and only 52 were returned. Furthermore, 28 interviews were held. Six interviews targeted Local Council 1 chairpersons, 08 with officials from Slum Dwellers International (SDI), 04 with officials from the Ministry of Lands Housing and Urban Development (MLHUD), 03 with officials from Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), 04 privately practising land economists, and 03 private physical planners.
From the information gathered, the influence of  slum upgrading actors in the low-income household mobility and reoccurrence of the Namuwongo slum was exhibited through four thematic areas. These included: tracking the residential mobility tendencies, fit-for-purposeness of the upgrading programs/initiatives, actor coordination and the mismatch in expectation and preferences between the program actors and the low-income households. This paper, therefore argues that, actor coordination and participatory involvement of low-income slum-dwelling households enables the adequate fit-for-purposeness of the in-situ upgrading initiatives. This could also go a long way in limiting slum reoccurrence as the key drivers of household mobility would be understood and well incorporated in the programs.
Blighted properties:
Authors: Mahlangu Lwazi , Worku Zeleko
Published: May 2024

A blighted property is a property that has deteriorated, is vacant, has been abandoned, or has been foreclosed. This occurs when property depreciates over time due to neglect or damage. The study examines the factors contributing to vacancy and unutilised state-owned properties under the custodianship of the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI). Most of the Department's properties are older than 100 years. Some of the vacant and underutilised properties are susceptible to theft, vandalism, vagrancy, and illegal occupation. Furthermore, maintenance on these properties has been lacking. The cost to the State of maintaining vacant buildings without any return on investment, continuous municipal payments, and security for safekeeping necessitates a discussion of strategies to address this problem. A self-administered questionnaire was administered to 105 DPWI employees responsible for managing vacant properties and ensuring their welfare. The relative importance of the contributing factors was quantified by the relative importance index method.  According to the findings, external factors like poor public sector planning and policy are the most significant factors influencing vacancy in State-owned properties. In addition to that, there are challenges related to regulation, framework, and policy under the management of assets, as well as internal issues indicating weak procurement.
Self-Governance in Condominium Housing in Tanzania
Authors: Mushi Vianey John
Published: May 2024

Despite the ever-growing preference of self-governance in a set of diverse, multi-unit buildings being built in cities around the world, scholarly discussion of how this form of housing is governed and potential inefficiencies with the self-governing since at least the 2010s in the context of countries of the global South is both limited and presented in anecdote. Reflecting on Ostrom’s (1990) common pool resources principles, the study aimed to highlight patterns of interaction; and to see whether commonly held views about self-governance are borne out in practice. A case study approach that involved surveys of condominium homeowners, and interviews with house management committee chairs or members, along with document review was applied. Findings showed underlying forces that preclude functional and sustainable self-governing communities are unsatisfactory participation and weak enforcement of house rules, which are in turn driven by conflicting interests among homeowners, the lack of adequate information, discrepancies in the legal mechanism, and ineffective dispute resolution mechanisms. These issues can give rise to serious damage to building fabrics and social cohesion, hence the emphasis on implementing plausible dispute resolution mechanisms, preparing guidelines and standards on how condominiums can be effectively governed and ensuring individual cooperate and free-riding issues are avoided. Understanding the behavior of individuals within a space for interaction is also crucial for self-governing institutions to function successfully
Fundamentos prácticos de un modelo de guía operativa para el funcionamiento de los comités municipales de convivencia escolar
Authors:   Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia, Lozada-Ballesteros Yeny Carolina , Barrios-Galvis Sonia Paola ,   Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana
Published: May 2024

La investigación expone un análisis de la operatividad de los Comités Municipales de Convivencia Escolar que en Colombia fueron catalogados como referentes nacionales por el Ministerio de Educación Nacional, con base en la observación directa de grupos focales, entrevistas semiestructuradas y pronunciamientos de las entidades territoriales certificadas en 2021, y presentaron fundamentos prácticos para un modelo de guía operativa que oriente su funcionamiento. El desarrollo de la investigación fue de corte cualitativo, con un enfoque sociojurídico. Los principales resultados expresan de manera crítica los fundamentos prácticos para la formulación de un modelo de guía operativa para el funcionamiento de los Comités Municipales de Convivencia Escolar, que brinde claridad en términos de su proceso de conformación, operación y evaluación, a fin de fortalecer el sistema de convivencia escolar de las entidades territoriales y maximizar su impacto en las acciones dentro de los establecimientos educativos de básica y media.
Criptomonedas : un fenómeno desprovisto de justicia tributaria
Authors:   Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Meneses Aldo Rafael
Published: May 2024

El avance tecnológico y la inquietud económica del hombre dieron paso a las criptomonedas, un fenómeno muy amplio y en constante evolución. Ante esto, funcionando como un vehículo para sistematizar fenómenos sociales, el derecho se ha quedado corto al regular las actividades que rodean a las criptomonedas. En este artículo, se pone de manifiesto la pertinencia de una obligación tributaria que emane de las criptomonedas y la anomia tributaria en la que se encuentran. Como consecuencia, se violan principios rectores que son base para encuadrar cualquier sistema jurídico dentro de un espectro de justicia tributaria, entendida bajo un modelo de justicia en la distribución de la carga, basado en teorías de John Rawls, Amartya Sen y Ronald Dworkin. A pesar de la rápida y continua evolución de los fenómenos sociales, el derecho debería ser capaz de regularlos y brindarnos certeza jurídica. Es deber de nosotros, desde la academia, señalar cuando no sea así para avanzar en la eliminación de las corrupciones del derecho que merman la creación y la aplicación de leyes.
Bipolar disorder with personality disorders: A difficult diagnosis
Authors: Michel Bourin
Published: May 2024

Bipolar disorder poses some diagnostic difficulties because it is colored by the personality of the patients. What complicates the problem are the personality disorders, which make the diagnosis difficult. Comorbid personality disorders are frequent and may complicate the course of bipolar illness. We have much information about treating patients with uncomplicated Bipolar Disorder (BD) but much less knowledge about possibilities for patients with the comorbidity of BD and personality disorder. This review tries to make a point to avoid confusion.
Content of heavy metals in Carpathian soils (Poland)
Authors: Joanna Korzeniowska , Sławomir Dorocki
Published: May 2024

The article addresses determining the concentration of six chemical elements: Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn in the soils of the southern slope of the Jaworzyna Krynicka mountain in the Beskid Mountains. The research consisted of determining the diversity of metal content in soil samples taken at different altitudes (500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, and 1100 m MSL). The test results indicated low soil contamination in the selected area, particularly for the altitudes of 500 and 900 m MSL. For these altitudes, the content of Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn was similar to the concentration of these metals in uncontaminated soils. In the conducted research, very low Cd content was found for all absolute altitudes. The chemical element of metal whose content in the soils under study was the highest and exceeded natural values was Zn. All tested metals showed a common trend of increasing content in the soils up to 800 m MSL.
Archival DNA extraction protocol forinsect specimens from museum collections v1
Authors: Lopes Fernando
Published: May 2024

This protocol can be used to dry specimens from natural history collections to obtain DNA for UCE-seq.
Protocol Normative Gait Data ZHAW Movement Laboratory v1
Authors: Sommer Bettina , Bauer Christoph , Pauli Carole , Haas Michelle , Graf Eveline
Published: May 2024

This protocol describes the detailed study procedures for the collection of normative gait data for walking at the ZHAW movement laboratory.
“Treated and untreated cows housed side by side in tie-stalls and their respective risk of harboring E. coli resistant to antimicrobials” v1
Authors: Köchle Belinda
Published: May 2024

Parenteral antimicrobialtreatment results in the excretion of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. Dairycows are commonly housed side by side in tie-stalls and often receiveantimicrobial treatment. However, studies investigating treated cows as sourceof colonization of neighboring cows with resistant bacteria are scarce.Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in cows (treated and untreated) in tie-stalls wasinvestigated to assess their respective risks of carrying resistant bacteria.Furthermore, we analyzed associations of farm management with AMR. Case-controlstudy: For isolation of indicator Escherichia (E.) coli, rectal swabsamples were taken. Cows were sampled depending on treatment history and proximity to one another (cow A: recently treatedparenterally; cow B: untreated, next to cow A; cow C: untreated, atconsiderable distance from all treated cows). Antimicrobial susceptibility wastested by microdilution. Associations of AMR with exposure to cow A, treatments,and management were analyzed using generalized mixed-effects logistic models. Susceptibilitydata on 571 isolates from 131 dairy farms were obtained. Almost no differencein proportions of resistant E. coli was observed between cows B and C (B:53.4%; C: 57.2%; P=0.52). Untreated cows had lower odds of carryingresistant E. coli than treated cows (B: OR 0.44, P<0.001; C:OR 0.54, P=0.007). Non-pansusceptibility of isolates was associated withantimicrobial treatment (1 treatment: OR 2.11, P=0.001; ≥2: OR 1.76, P=0.043).Using manure on forage crops was associated with higherodds of pansusceptibility (OR 2.01, P=0.004). For daily practice, withregard to the risk of AMR transmission, results of this study do not provideevidence for the need to separate treated cows from others during treatment intie-stalls.
Sucrose lysis buffer v1
Authors: Kellogg Colleen
Published: May 2024

This protocol describes the preparation of sucrose lysis buffer to preserve DNA on sterivex filters. As part of the Hakai Institute Ocean Observing Program, biomolecular samples have been collected weekly, from 0 m to near bottom (260 m), to genetically characterize plankton communities in the Northern Salish Sea since 2015. This protocol is developed to work across all domains of life, from viruses to prokaryotes to eukaryotes, allowing for both amplicon sequencing and shotgun sequencing. The protocol is part of the Hakai Institute's pipeline to analyze microbial and environmental DNA from seawater samples and is implemented as a standard procedure for ongoing sampling programs.
TaqMan qPCR INRAE eWHALE v1
Authors: Urvois Teddy , Besnard Anne-Laure , Quéméré Erwan
Published: May 2024

Protocol for the TaqMan assay used by INRAE team in eWHALE ring test study
Integrated Bioinformatics Approach to Metabolite Detection from Metagenomic Data v1
Authors: Niranjan Vidya , C Lavanya , Hoovina Venkatesh Pooja , not provided Karthik.V , R Sahana
Published: May 2024

The exploration of metabolites derived from metagenomic data holds immense potential for the discovery of novel bioactive compounds with applications in pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and biotechnology. However, the complex nature of metagenomic datasets, coupled with the biochemical diversity and the presence of unknown enzymes, poses significant challenges to identifying metabolites accurately. This study presents the development of a comprehensive protocol designed to streamline the identification of metabolites from metagenome data. The protocol integrates advanced bioinformatics tools and databases, including antiSMASH for identifying biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs). This study involves the identification of metabolites from bacterial species which can be potential Biofertilizers. But the pipeline can be used in general for the metabolite identification for any case study.
An affordable solution for investigating zebra finch intracranial EEG signals v1
Authors: Abolghasemi Mohammad-Mahdi , Yekani Milad
Published: May 2024

The Zebra finch is a well-studied model animal for neural mechanisms of speech, and Electrophysiology is the primary technique for understanding the song system in them. Most of the studies on zebra finches have focused on intracerebral recordings. However, these methods are not readily available and expensive. Recently, different open-source hardware for acquiring EEG signals has been developed. It's unclear if these solutions are suitable zebra finches as they haven't been evaluated yet. Electrocorticography signals, which have been overlooked in avian electrophysiology, can be helpful in studying bird songs. They can provide a preliminary guide for more in-depth inquiries and also aid in understanding the global behavior of the bird’s brain, as opposed to the more common localized approach. We provide a detailed protocol for acquiring ECOG data from zebra finches with an open-source device (open BCI). We implemented stainless steel electrodes on the brain's surface and recorded the brain signals from two recording sites. To validate our method, we ran two different experiments. In the first experiment, we recorded neural activity under different concentrations of isoflurane and extracted the burst suppression rate (BSR) to measure anesthesia depth. In the second experiment, we head-fixed the birds and presented them with different auditory stimuli to evaluate event-related potential. Results showed a significant increase in the BRS by increasing the anesthesia depth. And significant ERP response to auditory stimuli. These findings indicate that by our methodology, we can successfully collect ECOG signals from awake and anesthetized birds.
DNA extraction NucleoSpin Tissue INRAE eWHALE v1
Authors: Urvois Teddy , Besnard Anne-Laure , Quéméré Erwan
Published: May 2024

This DNA extraction protocol aims at extracting total genomic DNA from filtered seawater samples suspended in Tris-EDTA-SDS Buffer. Our protocol mostly follows the NucleoSpin Tissue protocol (qr.mn-net.com/qr/(IFU)740952), section 5 (Standard protocol for human or animal tissue and cultured cells). It starts at step 3, with 200µL of sample, and adds 25µL Proteinase K to the original step. To maximize DNA concentration, Buffer BE is heated at 70°C, and elution is repeated twice with the same 100µL of Buffer BE with 3 min incubation.
Unveiling the roots of cyberloafing
Authors: Jha Nivedita , Malik Pooja , Patel Gokulananda , Cvetkoska Violeta
Published: May 2024

In an era where work and workplaces are increasingly digitized, the pervasive phenomenon of cyberloafing—diverting work hours to non-job-related online activities—poses a growing challenge. This study delves into the intricacies of cyberloafing among Indian IT professionals, identifying and prioritizing its antecedents using a Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP). Surveying 250 employees from CMMI Level 5 IT companies in Delhi-NCR, our findings reveal that interpersonal factors hold the most significant weight (58.7%) in contributing to cyberloafing, followed by individual (29.7%) and situational antecedents (11.6%). Notably, factors such as status at work (44.3%), personality (15.6%), and managerial support (14.4%) emerged as crucial sub criteria. This research not only adds precision to understanding cyberloafing but also proposes tailored measures to mitigate its impact. Our results underscore the imperative for organizations to address cyberloafing, especially in the context of the dynamic Indian IT landscape.
COOPERATION OF THE PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE OF UKRAINE WITH THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT
Authors:   Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Kyiv, Ukraine, Plakhotnik Oleh
Published: May 2024

The article includes the analysis of the draft Law of Ukraine "On Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of Ukraine Regarding Cooperation with the International Criminal Court" dated by October 5, 2017 No. 7179, decisions of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine: On the Statement of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine dated by February 25, 2014 No. 790-VII and Resolution of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine dated by February 4, 2015 No. 145-VIII, which marked the actual start of cooperation between the Prosecutor's Office of Ukraine and the International Criminal Court before the relevant changes were made to the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine. The norms of Section IX-2 of the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine regarding the specifics of cooperation with the International Criminal Court are analyzed. The purpose of the article is to determine the actual beginning of the cooperation of the Prosecutor's Office of Ukraine with the International Criminal Court, the main decisions of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and the decisions of the International Criminal Court that led to such cooperation and to analyze the norms of the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine, which regulate the peculiarities of cooperation with the International Criminal Court and determine the main subjects during investigation and trial. Special scientific and general scientific methods were used to achieve the stated goal: the method of scientific knowledge, the comparative legal method, the method of system analysis, the dialectical method. The article focuses attention on Resolution No. 145-VIII of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine dated by February 4, 2015, which instructed the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the General Prosecutor's Office of Ukraine to collect the necessary materials and an appropriate evidence base for the application to the International Criminal Court. Peculiarities of cooperation of the Prosecutor's Office of Ukraine, the Office of the Prosecutor General with the International Criminal Court and international cooperation during criminal proceedings under the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine are investigated. The main subjects of procedural cooperation with the International Criminal Court and the forms of appeal of the International Criminal Court to the Office of the Prosecutor General are determined. The specifics of choosing a preventive measure of detention and detention of a person wanted or in respect of whom the International Criminal Court has received a request for temporary arrest or for arrest and transfer are highlighted.
VIOLATIONS DURING THE DESIGN OR CONSTRUCTION OF THE RULES CONCERNING THE SAFE OPERATION OF BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES: CRIMINAL AND LEGAL CHARACTERISTICS CONSIDERING THE EFFECT OF MARTIAL LAW
Authors:   Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Kyiv, Ukraine, Ptaschenko Dmitro
Published: May 2024

The purpose of the article is to investigate the specific criminal-legal content of the legal components of criminal offenses, the specific part of which is provided for by the Article 275 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, in terms of violation during the design or construction of the rules related to the safe operation of buildings and structures; the provisions of regulatory legislation and its application are regarded as well as martial law actions are considered. To achieve the set goal and the defined tasks, the following methods make the basis of the research: logical and normative – for the analysis of regulatory and criminal legislation on the safe operation of buildings and structures; system analysis – for consideration of normative compositions of criminal offenses related to the violation during the design or construction of the rules referring to the safe operation of buildings and structures. The problem of filling the objective characteristics of the legal components of criminal offenses with specific criminal and legal content, the definite part of which is provided for by Article 275 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, is highlighted. It has been formulated in the conclusions that filling the objective characteristics of the legal components of criminal offenses with specific criminal and legal content, the specific part of which is provided for by Article 275 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, is carried out with the help of the provisions of the regulatory legislation of Ukraine, building codes, state standards and rules, other acts of application are treated a general and individual action. It was also investigated that during the period of martial law, no changes were made to the criminal legislation of Ukraine regarding the criminal protection of the safe operation of buildings and structures; some changes were introduced to the regulatory legislation, which directly affect the formation of the specific criminal law content of criminal offenses, specific part of which is provided for by Article 275 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.
THE EMERGENCE AND EVOLUTION OF DISCRETIONARY AUTHORITIES IN THE ADMINISTRATION SYSTEM OF CATHOLIC CHURCH
Authors:   Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Kyiv, Ukraine, Matseliуkh Ivanna
Published: May 2024

The article analyzes the evolution of discretionary powers in the management system of the Catholic Church in order to clarify and establish the meaning of certain management principles that are now effectively applied in civil service law. It was found out that the practice of using discretionary powers first arose in the environment of the Roman Catholic Church. They were used by papal legates who carried out the representative, diplomatic mission of the Holy See in the Christian countries of the world. Their legal status was determined by the Code of Canon Law of May 27, 1917. The rules and decisions of the Second Vatican Council, which enabled local churches and individual dioceses to use discretionary powers, gave them the opportunity to act within the limits of canon law taking into account local characteristics, laid the foundation for moderate decentralization, which by its force, did not violate the principles of the supremacy of the Holy See. It was established that the progressive development of the network of papal diplomatic missions not only demonstrated the possibility of using discretionary powers in the implementation of management, but also led to the formation of a wide diplomatic representation of the Vatican, which now maintains relations with most countries of the world and is represented in the most authoritative international organizations. At the Holy See in Rome there are more than eight thousand permanent missions from the countries of the world and international organizations, including those from the European Union. In the course of the analysis, a polymethodological approach was used, by applying a set of philosophical, general scientific, special scientific research methods, namely, dialectical, hermeneutic, axiological, historical-philosophical, and systemic-functional research methods. In addition, formal-dogmatic, formal-logical, and formal-legal methods have become widely used. A comprehensive analysis of the formation and development of discretionary powers in the management system of the Catholic Church became possible thanks to the use of the systemic-structural method, furthermore, its research in the historical-legal dimension is due to the retrospective method. Special scientific methods were the quintessence of the research, particularly, comparative- and historical-legal ones.
ROLE OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA IN THE MEDIATION BETWEEN SAUDI ARABIA AND IRAN
Authors:   Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Kyiv, Ukraine, Petyur R.K. , Aliyev Hamidulla ,   Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Kyiv, Ukraine
Published: May 2024

This article analyses the role and influence of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) on diplomatic mediation between Saudi Arabia and Iran. The paper examines the historical contradictions between the states, the prerequisites for diplomatic settlement and mediation by other states, and the importance of China’s involvement in the settlement process. In addition, the article discovers the impact of negotiations between Saudi Arabia and Iran on the Middle East region and the positions and benefits of dialogue for all three states. The article also touches upon the role and place of mediation in China’s overall foreign policy strategy, and the potential for China’s participation in other diplomatic processes, including possible diplomatic settlement of the Russian-Ukrainian war.
ESSAY ON THE VALUE-IDEOLOGICAL ASPECT OF STRATEGIC FOREIGN POLICY PLANNING (Russo-Ukrainian War case)
Authors:   Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Kyiv, Ukraine, Konovalova M.V.
Published: May 2024

The article highlighted the problem of value defining in the geopolitical prospects. Geopolitical strategic planning as well as the soft power of the state is based on the value system, which was the object of this analysis. Deep historical contradictions between two nations (Ukraine and Russia) have led to the war, and the next steps in architecting a global security system claim to the new unions and alliances, which should be built on unified values. Value backgrounds of the current war are dynamic systems and uncertain conditions, total disinformation and Russian myths, and the battle between autocracies and democracies. The value system could become the core basis of the state's mission and strategy. Values guide the behavior of members of society, the decision-making process, and the choice of strategies, can serve as a powerful tool for transformation in different fields of economy, motivation to work or even to fight. The article determined the great difference between the two nations (Ukrainian and Russians) and examined Huntington’s approach to the Ukrainian future geopolitical position.
Identification of effector genes of Parastagonospora nodorum, P. pseudonodorum in Tambov populations and sensitivity genes to NEs in varieties and hybrid lines of spring soft wheat
Authors: Zeleneva Yulia V. , Sudnikova Valentina P. , Gusev Ivan V. , Baranova Olga A.
Published: May 2024

BACKGROUND: Parastagonospora nodorum and P. pseudonodorum are known for their ability to produce necrotrophic effectors that play an important role in micromycete pathogenicity. Fungal strains characterized by the presence of effector genes will be used to create artificial infectious backgrounds to identify sources and donors of resistance to fungal diseases. Selected varieties and lines that are donors of recessive alleles snn1 and snn3, which control plant resistance to fungal toxins PtrTox1 and PtrTox3, are recommended for inclusion in programs for breeding wheat for resistance to septoriosis pathogens.
AIM: The aim of the work is to assess the populations of the fungi Parastagonospora nodorum and P. pseudonodorum in 2023 based on the presence of effector genes, as well as to identify alleles of Snn1/snn1, Snn3/snn3 genes that control the sensitivity or resistance of wheat to PtrTox1 and PtrTox3 toxins.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Infectious samples were collected in 2023 from spring wheat leaves. In addition, the material for the study was 2 varieties and 23 lines of spring soft wheat of local selection. Using the molecular markers Xfcp624 and Xcfd20, the presence of the Snn1 and Snn3-B1 alleles, which control sensitivity to the fungal toxins PtrTox1 and PtrTox3, was detected.
RESULTS: Using molecular screening, ToxA and Tox1 genes were identified in genotypes of P. pseudonodorum isolates; Tox3 and Tox267 in P. nodorum isolates. 2 varieties of spring soft wheat and 11 hybrid lines carry a recessive allele snn1, which protects against the phytopathogen toxin PtrTox1; wheat variety Tambovchanka and 2 hybrid lines carry the recessive allele snn3 on chromosome B1, which confers resistance to the fungal toxin PtrTox3.
CONCLUSIONS: The ToxA gene was found only among monoconidial isolates of P. pseudonodorum species obtained from leaves of spring soft wheat of Lebedushka variety. As a result of molecular screening, the Tox1 gene was identified among 70 P. pseudonodorum isolates (43,21% of those studied). The presence of the Tox3 and Tox267 genes was established in 30 isolates of P. nodorum species obtained from plant samples of spring durum wheat Donskaya Elegiya. Using the PCR method, donors of the snn1 and snn3 genes were identified.
Personalized Politics in Traditional and Social Media: The Case of the 2019 Finnish Parliamentary Elections
Authors: Paatelainen Laura , Kannasto Elisa , Isotalus Pekka
Published: May 2024

Personalization of politics is a well-established field of research, yet not much is known about how the phenomenon has been influenced by the increased use of social media as a tool for political communication. In this research we analyze media personalization in newspapers and on social media posts of parties and party leaders during the 2019 Finnish parliamentary elections. Combining quantitative and qualitative content analysis, we find that a) personalized content was more common in newspapers than on social media, and b) the contexts of personalized content were largely similar regardless of media type, suggesting it may be more relevant to speak of “hybrid media personalization” rather than “traditional media personalization” and “social media personalization”. These findings are linked to broader discussions on personalization of politics and the use of social media as a political communication tool.