bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Study the effects of vegetarian diets on the development of depression
Authors: Gubska O. Yu. , Privalov M. A. , Alianova T. S. , Taran A. A. , Rodionova I. O. , Aleksieieva V. V. , Lavrenchuk I. O. , Kuzminets A. A.
Published: March 2023

Purpose: to study the influence of the psycho-emotional state of vegetarians with a help of scales of depression, to establish a correlation of changes in the type of depression with the concentration of serum vitamin B12. 5 groups of people were analyzed: vegetarians (42 persons), vegans (61 persons), semi-vegetarians (14 people), lactovestarians (12 people), adherents of the traditional nutrition model (54 people). They filled out QIDS questionnaires and Beck depression inventory. All groups were compared with omnivores. During the second phase of the study, two groups were selected: vegans (15 people) and omnivores (15 people). In these groups, the concentration of vitamin B12 in serum was measured and the effect of reduced concentration of vitamin B12 on the development of depression was studied. The frequency of depression among the groups was studied, which is: vegetarians – 43 %, vegans – 30 %, semi-vegetarians – 43 %, lactovegetarians – 33 % and omnivores – 47 %. There were no statistically significant differences in the frequency and severity of depression among the subjects. In the vegan group, a significantly higher number of subjects with vitamin B12 deficiency was identified in comparison with omnivores (P = 0.015). The level of vitamin B12 in the blood does not affect the presence of depression in groups of vegans and omnivores (χ2 = 0.045; P = 0.833 for QIDS).
Beyond biological and social: a holistic approach to mental health
Authors: Danylova T. V. , Salata G. V.
Published: March 2023

The paper analyzes the specifics of biologically and socially oriented approaches to the problem of mental health, justifies the importance of the development of a new transdisciplinary paradigm of human nature and the feasibility of using a holistic approach in modern medicine. Exploratory research design was used for conducting this study. The authors have used secondary data collected from reports, journals, and periodicals (2010–2017). The expansion of the functional field of treatment options for the various mental disorders and related psychosomatic diseases through the lens of the holistic view of human nature is emphasized. It is stressed that an effective treatment for people with mental disorders should be based on a new transdisciplinary paradigm of human and implemented by an interdisciplinary team of specialists.
Importance of independence in the context of future specialists’ psychic health
Authors: Pavlyuk М. M.
Published: March 2023

The article presents the empirical study of the importance of the “independence” value in the context of future specialists’ psychic health. The article reveals correlations between the “independence” value and such students’ personality characteristics as internal and external motivation, beliefs about independence, an internal role position – functional ego-states, the power to build psychological boundaries, revealing information on the students’ internal and external spaces as an indicator of their psychic health. The article shows that the “independence” value determines a number of the respondents’ personal characteristics: the higher importance of the “independence” value is the higher indicators of internal motivation, the deeper belief that the independence can be acquired (and it is not inherent) and it is a constructive personality trait, the higher self-esteem of independence, self-regulation and motivation, the internal role positions of “Parent-Controller” and “Quiet-Neutral boundaries” in relations with other people is used more often.  The deep mechanisms that hinder the future specialists’ independence formation are revealed: co-dependence, anti-dependence, false self, fear of existential loneliness. The conclusion is made that the independence is the result of a person’s internal work, his/her ability to set not only individual goals, tasks, but also determine the whole direction of own activities.
The constructive and destructive forms of reflection
Authors: Savchenko O. V.
Published: March 2023

The purpose of the article is the identifying criteria of the constructiveness of personal reflection (as a factor of the mental health, the personality`s optimal functioning), the describing the constructive and destructive reflective styles that determine the success of overcoming problem-conflict situations, the determining the relationship between the destructive style and the features of adaptation and behavior. On the results of correlation analysis were determined that students with a pronounced destructive reflective style rarely use sense-making operations, but they use the strategy of retread from the environment`s contact and flooding in the inner world that activates their metacognitive activity. The author suggested that constructiveness-destructiveness could be considered as phases of microcycle that composes the process of formation and development of the personality's reflective capacity, the character of which depends on the level of the formation of reflective practices. The author considers that the formation of the constructive style of overcoming problem-conflict situations through the phase of «destructiveness» is a factor of stable mental health and personal well-being.
Genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of titanium nitride and chromium disilicide nanoparticles as a criterion for the effect on the body
Authors: Yavorovsky A. P. , Minchenko D. O. , Solokha N. V. , Shish A. M. , Minchenko O. H.
Published: March 2023

We have studied the effect of chromium disilicide and titanium nitride nanoparticles on the expression level of gene FABP4 (fatty acid binding protein 4), which reflects the cell stress condition, including the endoplasmic reticulum stress. It was shown that treatment of mice by titanium nitride and chromium disilicide nanoparticles (20 nm; 20 mg with food every working day for 2 months) upregulated the expression of FABP4 gene in mouse liver but effect of chromium disilicide was much stronger. It was also found reduced level of free radicals production in the liver of mice, which indicating depletion of the antioxidant system. In particular, it was shown the decrease of catalase activity in 2 times upon treatment by both chromium disilicide and titanium nitride nanoparticles. Present study demonstrates that chromium disilicide and titanium nitride nanoparticles affects the expression of FABP4 gene in mouse liver, which possibly reflects genotoxic activities of both types of nanoparticles, but molecular mechanisms of their action on the genome warrant further investigation.
Subjects of Aspirations
Authors: Chamorro Luciana
Published: March 2023

Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork conducted in Gracias a Dios, an urban informal settlement in the Pacific region of Nicaragua, this article examines the mechanisms by which investments in Sandinista partisan politics are reproduced even as promises of redistribution made by the ruling Sandinista National Liberation Front are chronically deferred. Populist governance emerges as the administration of aspirations in the gap between the populist promise and its failure. The residents of Gracias a Dios, who are presumed to be invested in Sandinista politics either by ideological interpellation or pragmatic self-interest, are revealed to be neither deceived nor blindly hopeful. This article argues that the populist promise opens an ambivalent space that animates aspirations and preserves possibility even when experience suggests otherwise. The regime's capacity to foster possibility in lieu of probability is dependent on punctuating everyday life with irregularly timed interventions and on transforming partisan belonging into a stopgap between promise and outcome.
Book Reviews
Authors: Carlson Rebecca , Saglam Erol
Published: March 2023

Adriana Petryna, Horizon Work: At the Edges of Knowledge in an Age of Runaway Climate Change, Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, pp. 224, 2022

Sertaç Sehlikoglu, Working Out Desire: Women, Sport, and Self-Making in Istanbul, Syracuse, NY: Syracuse University Press, pp. 339, 2021
Aesthetic politics in contemporary India
Authors: Simpson Nikita
Published: March 2023

Michiel Baas. Muscular India: Masculinity, mobility & the new middle class. New Delhi: Context, 2020.

Alice Tilche. Adivasi art and activism: Curation in a nationalist age. Seattle: University of Washington Press, 2022.

Sanderien Verstappen. New lives in Anand: Building a Muslim hub in Western India. Seattle: University of Washington Press, 2022.
Gnomes of Gregory of Nazianzus as Part of Didactic Literature – an Inspirational Source of Homilies?
Authors: Koželová Adriána Ingrid , Drengubiak Ján
Published: March 2023

The term didaktikos, first used by the ancient Greeks, referred to someone who was able to teach. However, not only in the sense of providing information and knowledge, but effectively conveying them so that they serve practical purposes. The aim of the contribution is to find out whether the gnomes of Gregory of Nazianzus formally meet the basic standards of didactic literature and thus to point out whether it is appropriate to use them as an inspirational source for writing sermons. By means of analytical and comparative method, we assess the presence of the basic features of homilies as well as whether they can be identified in the gnomes of Gregory of Nazianzus. The analysis confirms that homiletic texts are compatible with the gnomes by Gregory of Nazianzus and can be thus used as an inspirational source for writing sermons. Nazianzus’ gnomes – the subject of our research – are also interesting for the readers today and have a lot to offer. Even if it is unlikely that the poetry of Gregory of Nazianzus attracts broad readership, the sermon can be the tool that conveys the author’s moral legacy.
Letter or Sermon? The Analysis of Augustine’s "De Bono Viduitatis"
Authors: Katreničová Anabela
Published: March 2023

St. Augustine’s work De bono viduitatis written in 414 is not a treatise but a letter addressed to widow issued from a noble Roman family named Juliana. She with her daughter and mother-in-law attempts to live the consecrated way of life. Under the strong influence of the ascetism and moralism of Pelagius, she begs Augustine to acquire the essential instructions for their devotion. Augustine in his answer proposes the original teaching on the widowhood based on the Holy Scripture, especially on the letters of apostle Paul, and encourages the women in their consecration to observe the goods of the widowhood. Nevertheless, St. Augustine does not write this letter only to Juliana. He desires that this letter will be spread to the other widows as well. The aim of our paper is to analyse the Augustine’s letter to Juliana and focus our interest on the homiletical forms used by St. Augustine. Our argumentation is based on the analyse of this letter and on its comparison with Augustine’s style of preaching. Examining the rhetoric elements used and known by St. Augustine as they are summarized in the Book Four of his treatise On Christian Doctrine it enables us to present the style of Augustine – preacher and consequently to find some similarity and differences.
Pharisaicus hydrops. Łk 14,2-4 w przepowiadaniu Piotra Chryzologa
Authors: Paczkowski Mieczysław
Published: March 2023

Tekst biblijny niewątpliwie ukształtował treść kazań Piotra Chryzologa. Wygłaszał on homilie także o Ewangelii św. Łukasza. Refleksja na temat uzdrowienia człowieka chorego na wodną puchlinę (Łk 14,2-4) pojawia się w Sermo 99 bis. Kazanie ma wydźwięk polemiczny, lecz dotyczy sytuacji opisanej w tekście ewangelicznym. Jest dopracowane pod względem oratorskim i teologicznym. Chryzolog podkreślał moralne i symboliczne znaczenie choroby. Mówca zastosował odpowiednie środki, by wywołać właściwą reakcję słuchaczy i przekazać naukę moralno-duchową. Jego homilia, podobnie jak inne mowy, obfitowały w figury stylistyczne i realistyczne porównania.
Clement of Alexandria’s Homily "Quis Dives Salvetur?" and Its Pastoral Challenges for Alexandrian Christians
Authors: Plátová Jana
Published: March 2023

The article reconsiders the structure of Clement’s writing Quis dives salvetur? and as a consequence questions the traditional designation of this text as a homily. In the first part, the article focuses on the Gospel text quoted by Clement and attempts to explain some of the unusual choices of the text. In the second part, it highlights some pastorally interesting or, on the contrary, controversial aspects of Clement’s interpretation: (a) the use of the Stoic concept of indifferent things, which makes it possible to give emphasis to the freedom of human decision; (b) the thorough justification of the allegorical interpretation of Mk 10, 21; (c) the pastoral project of the “divine business” based on Lk 16, 9 and finally (d) the possibility of a second repentance after baptism justified by the story of the Apostle John.
Kasjodor, Pisma wybrane (Studia o Kasjodorze), przekład z języka łacińskiego Dominika Budzanowska-Weglenda, ks. Krzysztof Burczak, ks. Jarosław Januszewski, ks. Lucjan Dyka, opracowanie ks. Marek Starowieyski, ks. Mikołaj Lohr, Wydawnictwo Marek Derewiecki, Kęty 2022, ss. 362
Authors: Szram Mariusz
Published: March 2023

Recenzja książki: Kasjodor, Pisma wybrane (Studia o Kasjodorze), przekład z języka łacińskiego Dominika Budzanowska-Weglenda, ks. Krzysztof Burczak, ks. Jarosław Januszewski, ks. Lucjan Dyka, opracowanie ks. Marek Starowieyski, ks. Mikołaj Lohr, Wydawnictwo Marek Derewiecki, Kęty 2022, ss. 362.
Marcela ANDOKOVÁ, Čierna som a predsa krásna. Tyconiov výklad Piesne piesní 1, 5 (I am Black Yet Beautiful. Tyconius’s Interpretation of Song 1:5), Iris, Bratislava 2020, pp. 226
Authors: Wysocki Marcin
Published: March 2023

Review of the book: Marcela ANDOKOVÁ, Čierna som a predsa krásna. Tyconiov výklad Piesne piesní 1, 5 (I am Black Yet Beautiful. Tyconius’s Interpretation of Song 1:5), Iris, Bratislava 2020.
THE ART OF RETROFUTURISM: STEAMPUNK, DIESELPUNK, CYBERPUNK. DECORATIVE AND APPLIED ART, PAINTING, CINEMA
Authors: Yurchenko Vladimir
Published: March 2023

The article examines the reasons for the emergence of the cultural phenomenon "retrofuturism" in the 1970s-1980s of the last century as an escapist reaction to the failure of futuristic ideas about creating a progressive society based on scientific and technological progress. The analysis of the visual component of the main directions of retrofuturism: subcultures of "cyberpunk", "steampunk", "dieselpunk" in contemporary art is also carried out.
High-Tech Industrial Production In A Competitive Environment
Authors: Kokhno Pavel
Published: March 2023

The article explores the interaction of internal and external environment, which determines the strategy for the effective development of a high-tech industrial enterprise. Based on the compilation of maps of the strategic grouping of enterprises, their competitive positions in the industry are determined. The main types of key success factors are considered and their share in the activities of the enterprise is estimated. The algorithm for the innovative activity of an enterprise in a competitive environment and with limited funding is presented. The principles of building an innovative model of an efficient industrial enterprise are proposed. The analysis of innovation-investment cycles of industrial enterprise development is made. The effectiveness of the innovation and investment activities of high-tech industrial enterprises, including those of the military-industrial complex, depends not only on a competent managerial decision-making approach, but also on taking into account the specific characteristics inherent in this particular category of industrial enterprises
Cheap Labor And Economic Growth: Trends Of The Russian Labor Market In The Context Of The Smo In Ukraine
Authors: Sedlov Aleksey
Published: March 2023

The contraction of the Russian labor market as a result of the outflow of foreign labor during the pandemic was replaced by its recovery and subsequent growth. The development of the Special military operation (SMO) in Ukraine reduced the supply on the Russian labor market and increased the demand for domestic workers. Multidirectional vectors of labor supply in the market are considered in the work in the context of assessing the impact of cheap labor of migrants from the CIS countries on economic growth. Systemic reasons for the technical backwardness of underestimated sectors of the economy, which are an adequate environment for cheap labor, are qualified; the characteristics and directions of the influence of the labor market with low incomes on the innovative development of the economy are given
Conceptual Approaches To The Formation Of The Resource Potential Of The Pension System Of Russia
Authors: Eduard Vafin
Published: March 2023

The article provides a brief analysis of the resource potential of the pension system. The main models of financing the system of providing citizens in the event of the occurrence of risks that threaten a person, as well as in the event of termination of employment, are considered. In the analysis of the resource potential, it is proposed to use a socio-dynamic model for the formation of potential opportunities for the financial component of the pension system. The author's definition of resource potential and classification of pension services are given. It is shown how the lack of integrity and consistency in views on the financing of the pension system and its stability causes shortcomings, contradictions and imbalances in its functioning
Japan. Government Support Measures for Digital Transformation of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises
Authors: Shaposhnikov Sergei
Published: March 2023

The digital transformation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is becoming an important challenge and an aim for economic growth and development in different countries. Digital transformation enhances competitive advantage, improves business efficiency and ensures economic growth of companies worldwide. Considering that the SMEs in Japan account for over 99,7% of the total number of enterprises, the digital transformation of SMEs is becoming an important instrument for the Government of Japan to ensure economic growth of the national economy. SMEs have limited resources and capabilities and this fact creates a number of barriers to implement the digital transformation. These barriers include the limited financial resources, companies’ management, technological, digital security barriers, and others. In the case of small and medium-sized companies in Japan, most of the barriers are related to management and business culture of SMEs. Since the Japanese government has high expectations for SME productivity, competitiveness and economic contribution as drivers of economic growth and national competitiveness, in such an environment, the support of the government is becoming the basis and an essential condition for SMEs to advance along the path of digital transformation. The government support measures are aimed at training SME personnel, upgrading the skills of managers and owners, and providing consulting services to implement the digital transformation. In addition, the Government of Japan provides tax deductions for companies to implement the digital transformation, encourages companies to employ the electronic document management systems, and ensures the cybersecurity improvements for business community
Christianity in India: From the Apostle Thomas to the Present
Authors: Myazin Nikolay
Published: March 2023

The first Christians appeared in southwestern India during Antiquity; they belonged to Nestorianism and were fully incorporated into Indian society. The descendants of the Christian settlers and the descendants of the converts formed different castes. In the mid-16th century a Catholic diocese was established in the Portuguese possession of Goa, and most of the local Christians were converted to Catholicism. Protestantism began to spread in the early 18th century in the Danish colony of Trakenbar on the southeast coast. The East India Company did not permit missionary activity on its lands. The evangelical revival movement in the late 18th century led to the establishment of missionary societies focused on the Christianization of new lands, and they sought permission to establish missions in British possessions. Subsequently, the British administration did not provide much support for missionaries, using the confessional controversy to consolidate the power of the empire.
Preaching was most effective among tribal and Dalit peoples. Missionaryism among Dalits caused serious discontent in society and contributed to the emergence of reform movements in Hinduism. In independent India, several states enacted "anti-forced conversion" laws to limit conversions to Christianity and Islam. The rise of Hindu nationalism, which viewed Christianity as an alien religion, proved to be a deterrent to the spread of Christianity. In the second half of the 20th century new trends in Christianity developed most rapidly: Pentecostal and non-denominational Protestant churches, as well as Catholic charismatic movements.
The share of Christians in India's population has not changed much in the last 70 years. Conversions to Christianity have been offset by lower birth rates in Christian families. Christians now constitute about 2.6% of the country's population; Christianity has spread most widely in the states of the Northeast, where Christian denominations have actually been able to replace tribal religions and in Kerala, where Christianity took hold almost two thousand years ago.
Maasai in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area: Sustainable Development and Traditionality
Authors: Butovskaya Marina L.
Published: March 2023

The paper highlights the modern problems of sustainable development of protected areas with the living indigenous peoples on the example of the Maasai of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA) in northern Tanzania. NCA for 30 years (since 1959) has been a unique long-term experiment to maintain a stable coexistence of wild animal populations and the Maasai community practicing traditional methods of cattle breeding. Options for the development of NCA are discussed, taking into account new challenges, such as the growth of the population of Maasai people and livestock and the need to expand the area of the NCA strictly protected zone.
The interviews conducted by the authors among the young Maasai of Ngorongoro have demonstrated that this the most advanced group of young people can be characterized by the specific combination of traditional and modern trends as regards to the future life plans, access to modern technical means, attitude towards the traditions and trends on the blurring of the stereotypes of reproductive and sexual behavior including information on the self-protection against malaria and COVID. One of the acceptable solutions for the provision of the sustainable development of Ngorongoro conservation area could be the relocation of the part of the Maasai population for the decrease of the competition for resources with the wildlife and the control of the abundance of the Maasai cattle.
Bioethical Problems of China’s Demographic Policy: Background and Present
Authors: Musalitina Evgeniya
Published: March 2023

The article is devoted to the study of bioethical problems of China’s demographic policy. One of the main instruments of birth control in the country for 30 years was artificial termination of pregnancy – abortion. Because of this, contradiction between the political course of the state and the traditional, rooted in society, moral principles and values arises. Population policy has become a harsh method of restricting the reproductive rights and freedom of private life of the Chinese population. The current situation determines relevance and necessity of studying China’s demographic policy from the point of view of bioethics. Thus, the article discusses background for approval of the policy “One family – one child”; the implications of this policy, such as the bioethical issues of medical termination of pregnancy and selective abortion in China; transformation of the traditional institution of the family; moral and ethical status of the second child; the problem of the prohibition of surrogate motherhood; gender imbalance; increase in illegal services in the field of medical and reproductive technologies.
Bioethical aspects of modern Chinese demography; socio-cultural changes in Chinese society due to a long period of birth control policies are analyzed. The reasons for the low efficiency of modern state measures to stimulate childbearing are considered.
The US Policy of Sanctions and Restrictions against China. Beijing’s Tactical Countermeasures and Strategic Counteraction Potential
Authors: Vahrushin Ivan
Published: March 2023

A sharp reversal of the Chinese vector of the US foreign policy inevitably came with the election of Donald Trump to the presidency in 2017, whose entire election campaign was accompanied by accentuated anti-Chinese rhetoric.
Beijing’s response to the powerful pressure of the Trump administration was not the curtailment of state industrial development programs (Made in China – 2025, etc.) required by Washington, but the proclamation of a course to ensure the country’s economic security, increase the level of technological self-sufficiency, further strengthen the role of the domestic market and reduce dependence on exports. In particular, the latest provisions were included in the “double circulation” policy adopted in October 2020.
By now, Washington has imposed on China, though sensitive, still limited sanctions which generally do not have a significant impact on the socio-economic development of the country. Even with the WH’s firm political will, effective sanctions potential of the US against China is significantly limited due to enormous interdependence of the two largest world economies.
In general, the US sanctions of recent years against China can be divided into two large blocks: officially justified by the interests of US national security (restrictions on telecommunications companies, the ban of Chinese software, etc.) and related to accusations of human rights violations (restrictions on Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of the PRC and Hong Kong SAR). However, in some cases the real reason for the restrictions imposed is the desire of the United States to contain China in the context of general political, economic and technological rivalry of the two countries.
A SURVEY ON CHALLENGES OF FEDERATED LEARNING
Authors:   Azerbaijan State Oil and Industry University, Aliyev Samir
Published: March 2023

Federated Learning is a new paradigm of Machine Learning. The main idea behind FL is to provide a decentralized approach to Machine Learning. Traditional ML algorithms are trained in servers with data collected by clients, but data privacy is the primary concern. This is where FL comes into play: all clients train their model locally and then share it with a global model in the server and receive it back. However, FL has problems, such as possible cyberattacks, aggregating most appropriately, scaling the non-IID data, etc. This paper highlights current attacks, defenses, pros and cons of aggregating methods, and types of non-IID data based on publications in this field.
A Preliminary Comparison of the Methylome and Transcriptome from the Prefrontal Cortex Across Alzheimer’s Disease and Lewy Body Dementia
Authors: Fisher Daniel W. , Tulloch Jessica , Yu Chang-En , Tsuang Debby
Published: March 2023

Background:

Pathological amyloid-β and α-synuclein are associated with a spectrum of related dementias, ranging from Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) to Parkinson disease dementia (PDD). While these diseases share clinical and pathological features, they also have unique patterns of pathology. However, epigenetic factors that contribute to these pathological differences remain unknown.

Objective:

In this preliminary study, we explore differences in DNA methylation and transcription in five neuropathologically defined groups: cognitively unimpaired controls, AD, pure DLB, DLB with concomitant AD (DLBAD), and PDD.

Methods:

We employed an Illumina Infinium 850k array and RNA-seq to quantify these differences in DNA methylation and transcription, respectively. We then used Weighted Gene Co-Network Expression Analysis (WGCNA) to determine transcriptional modules and correlated these with DNA methylation.

Results:

We found that PDD was transcriptionally unique and correlated with an unexpected hypomethylation pattern compared to the other dementias and controls. Surprisingly, differences between PDD and DLB were especially notable with 197 differentially methylated regions. WGCNA yielded numerous modules associated with controls and the four dementias: one module was associated with transcriptional differences between controls and all the dementias as well as having significant overlap with differentially methylated probes. Functional enrichment demonstrated that this module was associated with responses to oxidative stress.

Conclusion:

Future work that extends these joint DNA methylation and transcription analyses will be critical to better understanding of differences that contribute to varying clinical presentation across dementias.
Bifurcation from infinity and multiplicity results for an elliptic system from biology
Authors: Li Chunqiu , Peng Zhen
Published: March 2023

This article is concerned with the bifurcation from infinity of the following elliptic system arising from biology [Formula: see text] in a bounded domain [Formula: see text]. We regard this problem as a stationary problem of some reaction-diffusion system. By using a method of a pure dynamical nature, we will establish some multiplicity results on bifurcations from infinity for this system under an appropriate Landesman-Lazer type condition.
The Association of Life Stress with Subsequent Brain and Cognitive Reserve in Middle-Aged Women
Authors: Schuurmans Isabel K. , Hoepel Sanne J.W. , Cecil Charlotte A.M. , Hillegers Manon H.J. , Ikram M. Arfan , Luik Annemarie I.
Published: March 2023

Background: Cognitive and brain reserve refer to individual differences that allow some people to better withstand brain pathology than others. Although early life stress has been recognized as a risk factor for low reserve in late life, no research yet has studied this across midlife. Objective: To examine the associations of life stress with brain and cognitive reserve in midlife. Methods: We included 1,232 middle-aged women who participated in the ORACLE Study between 2002-2006). Life stress was calculated as the shared variance of four cumulative stress domains, created from items measured between pregnancy and 10 years after childbirth. Brain reserve was defined as healthy-appearing brain volume measured with MRI; cognitive reserve as better cognitive functioning than expected based on age, education, and brain MRI measures, using structural equation modelling. Results: More life stress was associated with lower brain (standardized adjusted difference: -0.18 [95% CI 0.25,-0.12]) and cognitive reserve (-0.19 [-0.28,-0.10]). Although, effect sizes were typically smaller, cumulative stress domains were also associated with brain reserve (life events: -0.10 [-0.16,-0.04]; contextual stress: -0.13 [-0.19,-0.07]; parenting-related stress: -0.13[-0.19,-0.07]; interpersonal stress: -0.10 [-0.16,-0.04]) and cognitive reserve (life events: -0.18 [-0.25,-0.11]; contextual stress: -0.15 [-0.10,-0.02]; parenting-related stress: -0.10 [-0.18,-0.03]; interpersonal stress not significant). Conclusion: Women who experience more life stress in midlife were found to have lower reserve. Effects were primarily driven by shared variance across cumulative stress domains, suggesting that focusing on single domains may underestimate effects. The effect of life stress on lower reserve may make women with stress more prone to neurodegenerative disease later in life than women without stress.
Predicting Conversion from Subjective Cognitive Decline to Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer’s Disease Dementia Using Ensemble Machine Learning
Authors: Dolcet-Negre Marta M. , Imaz Aguayo Laura , García-de-Eulate Reyes , Martí-Andrés Gloria , Fernández-Matarrubia Marta , Domínguez Pablo , Fernández-Seara Maria A. , Riverol Mario
Published: March 2023

Background: Subjective cognitive decline (SCD) may represent a preclinical stage of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Predicting progression of SCD patients is of great importance in AD-related research but remains a challenge. Objective: To develop and implement an ensemble machine learning (ML) algorithm to identify SCD subjects at risk of conversion to mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or AD. Methods: Ninety-nine SCD patients were included. Thirty-two progressed to MCI/AD, while 67 remained stable. To minimize the effect of class imbalance, both classes were balanced, and sensitivity was taken as evaluation metric. Bagging and boosting ML models were developed by using socio-demographic and clinical information, Mini-Mental State Examination and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) scores (feature-set 1a); socio-demographic characteristics and neuropsychological tests scores (feature-set 1b) and regional magnetic resonance imaging grey matter volumes (feature-set 2). The most relevant variables were combined to find the best model. Results: Good prediction performances were obtained with feature-sets 1a and 2. The most relevant variables (variable importance exceeding 20%) were: Age, GDS, and grey matter volumes measured in four cortical regions of interests. Their combination provided the optimal classification performance (highest sensitivity and specificity) ensemble ML model, Extreme Gradient Boosting with over-sampling of the minority class, with performance metrics: sensitivity = 1.00, specificity = 0.92 and area-under-the-curve = 0.96. The median values based on fifty random train/test splits were sensitivity = 0.83 (interquartile range (IQR) = 0.17), specificity = 0.77 (IQR = 0.23) and area-under-the-curve = 0.75 (IQR = 0.11). Conclusion: A high-performance algorithm that could be translatable into practice was able to predict SCD conversion to MCI/AD by using only six predictive variables.
Regulation of USP25 by SP1 Associates with Amyloidogenesis
Authors: Li Ran , Song Beibei , Xu Lu , Zheng Jiali , Pan Wenhao , Cai Fang , Wang Juelu , Wu Yili , Song Weihong
Published: March 2023

Background: Trisomy 21, an extra copy of human chromosome 21 (HSA21), causes most Down’s syndrome (DS) cases. Individuals with DS inevitably develop Alzheimer’s disease (AD) neuropathological phenotypes after middle age including amyloid plaques and tau neurofibrillary tangles. Ubiquitin Specific Peptidase 25 (USP25), encoding by USP25 gene located on HSA21, is a deubiquitinating enzyme, which plays an important role in both DS and AD pathogenesis. However, the regulation of USP25 remains unclear. Objective: We aimed to determine the regulation of USP25 by specificity protein 1 (SP1) in neuronal cells and its potential role in amyloidogenesis. Methods: The transcription start site and promoter activity was identified by SMART-RACE and Dual-luciferase assay. Functional SP1-responsive elements were examined by EMSA. USP25 expression was examined by RT-PCR and immunoblotting. Student’s t-test or one-way ANOVA were applied or statistical analysis. Results: The transcription start site of human USP25 gene was identified. Three functional SP1 responsive elements in human USP25 gene were revealed. SP1 promotes USP25 transcription and subsequent USP25 protein expression, while SP1 inhibition significantly reduces USP25 expression in both non-neuronal and neuronal cells. Moreover, SP1 inhibition dramatically reduces amyloidogenesis. Conclusion: We demonstrates that transcription factor SP1 regulates USP25 gene expression, which associates with amyloidogenesis. It suggests that SP1 signaling may play an important role in USP25 regulation and contribute to USP25-mediated DS and AD pathogenesis.
Postmortem Cerebellar Volume Is Not Reduced in Essential Tremor: A Comparison with Multiple System Atrophy and Controls
Authors: Tremblay Cécilia , Serrano Geidy E. , Dunckley Nathaniel , Zhang Nan , Fiock Kimberly L. , Adler Charles H. , Driver-Dunckley Erika , Mehta Shyamal H. , Shill Holly A. , Beach Thomas G.
Published: March 2023

Background:

Essential tremor (ET) is a common movement disorder in which cerebellar microscopic and volume alterations have been repeatedly reported although with disagreement between studies. However, pronounced heterogeneity was found with regard to cerebellar volume alterations.

Objective:

This study aimed to assess postmortem cerebellar volume in subjects with or without ET, as compared with subjects with multiple system atrophy (MSA), a well-established cerebellar neurodegeneration.

Methods:

Cases with ET ( n = 29), MSA ( n = 7), and non-demented control cases without any movement disorder ( n = 22) were selected from the Arizona Study of Aging and Neurodegenerative Disorders (AZSAND), a longitudinal clinicopathological study with annual research-dedicated clinical assessments by neuropsychologists, subspecialist movement disorders, and cognitive/behavioral neurologists, with comprehensive neuropathological examinations after death. Group comparisons were controlled for common age-related neurodegenerative and cerebrovascular pathologies. Cerebellar volumes were calculated using digital images of slices taken at the time of autopsy, immediately after brain removal and before fixation.

Results:

Cerebellar volume was not reduced in ET subjects compared to controls. The two groups did not differ in terms of incidental cerebrovascular and Alzheimer’s disease neuropathology. In contrast, cerebellar volume was significantly reduced in subjects with MSA when compared to ET and control subjects.

Conclusion:

In a well-characterized cohort, postmortem cerebellar volume measurements suggest that there are no volume alterations in ET when compared to controls, in contrast to significant cerebellar atrophy in subjects with MSA.
Staffs’ physiological responses to irrelevant background speech and mental workload in open-plan bank office workspaces
Authors: Golmohammadi Rostam , Motlagh Masoud Shafiee , Aliabadi Mohsen , Faradmal Javad , Ranjbar Akram
Published: March 2023

BACKGROUND: Acoustic comfort is one of the most critical challenges in the open-plan workspace. OBJECTIVE: This study was aimed to assess the effect of irrelevant background speech (IBS) and mental workload (MWL) on staffs’ physiological parameters in open-plan bank office workspaces. METHODS: In this study, 109 male cashier staff of the banks were randomly selected. The 30-minute equivalent noise level (LAeq) of the participants was measured in three intervals at the beginning (section A), middle (section B), and end of working hours (section C). The heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV): low frequency (LF), high frequency (HF), and LF/HF of the staff were also recorded in sections A, B, and C. Moreover, staff was asked to rate the MWL using the NASA-Task load. RESULTS: The dominant frequency of the LAeq was 500 Hz, and the LAeq in the frequency range of 250 to 2000 was higher than other frequencies. The LAeq (500 Hz) was 55.82, 69.35, and 69.64 dB(A) in sections A, B, and C, respectively. The results show that the IBS affects staffs’ physiological responses so that with increasing in IBS, the HF power decreases. Moreover, with higher MWL, increasing noise exposure, especially IBS, causes more increases in LF power and LF/HF ratio. CONCLUSION: It seems that the IBS can affect physiological responses and increase staff stress in open-plan bank office workspaces. Moreover, the mental workload can intensify these consequences in these working settings.
Instructional Leadership Expenditures at Texas Schools: A Multiyear, Statewide Analysis
Authors: Merik Tania M. , Slate John R.
Published: March 2023

This study was conducted to determine the degree to which differences were present in the distribution of Instructional Leadership dollars spent per student at the elementary, middle, and high school levels for the 2009-2010 through the 2018-2019 school years in Texas. Texas statewide data for all public schools were obtained from the Texas Education Agency. Because archival data were analyzed, a causal-comparative research design was present. To determine whether statistically significant differences were present in Instructional Leadership dollars spent by school level, inferential statistical procedures were calculated for each school year. Statistically significant differences were established for each school year.  The amount of Instructional Leadership dollars spent per pupil were highest at the high school level, followed by the middle school level, and were lowest at the elementary school level.  From the 2009-2010 school year through the 2018-2019 school year, expenditures for elementary, middle, and high schools across the State of Texas increased by only $42, $40, and $48, respectively. As such, the Instructional Leadership funding did not keep up with the rate of inflation in this time period.Implications and recommendations for future research were discussed.
Translation, Adaptation, and Cross Language Validation of the Revised Version of Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire’07 (DCDQ’07) in Urdu Language (DCDQ-UR)
Authors: Shahzad Naveed , Jameel Hafiz Tahir
Published: March 2023

The current study analyses children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) who face difficulty in learning through physical activities. Such children find it more difficult while performing movement skills, learning new physical tasks, and applying self-help skills in their day to day life. These functional limitations at times lead towards the range of other psychological and emotional problems. The application of valid and reliable screening and diagnostic tool is a prerequisite to start appropriate rehabilitation services. The current study aims to translate and validate DCDQ’07 into Urdu language for Pakistani population in order to identify children with DCD. This step is especially taken because there is no screening tool available in Urdu language. So far children with DCD have severely been understudied in Pakistan. The current study was divided into two phases, preliminary and main studies. The preliminary phase revealed the process of translation and cross language validation of the scale. The main study was conducted on a sample of 70 children at risk of DCD to establish psychometric properties of DCDQ-UR. Results demonstrated the adequate test-retest reliability, significant inter-item correlation, item total correlation and item loading scores. The DCDQ-UR has proved to be a valid and reliable scale for screening of children with DCD in the age ranging from 5 to 15 years among Pakistani population.
Investigating the Relationship between Parental Punishment and Academic Achievement: A Case Study of Secondary Level Students in Sargodha, Pakistan
Authors: Mushtaq Ahmad  , Khalid Muhammad Naveed , Taskeen Zafar
Published: March 2023

The current study explored the link of parental punishment with academic achievement of secondary school students. The sample size of 400 students (200 male and 200 female) was conveniently selected from both the private and the public secondary schools of tehsil Sargodha. A self-developed questionnaire was used to collect data. The collected data were analyzed through descriptive statistics. Major findings included that the majority of the students were physically punished. Whereas, some students were psychologically and emotionally punished by their parents. The results showed that parental punishment causes low academic achievement among students. The current study recommended that parents should not punish their children as it ultimately lowers their academic performance outcomes. This practice of parental punishment may be discouraged by guiding the parents in parent-teacher meetings.
CHARACTERIZATION OF SUBSTRATES AND THEIR INFLUENCE ON GERMINATION AND GROWTH OF ASPARAGUS SEEDLINGS
Authors: Do Nascimento Tavares Ingridy , Arcanjo Alves José Maria , Pereira Uchôa Sandra Catia , Canche Iuit Carlos Enrique , Alves Guedes Yenara , Oliveira Silva Deyse Cristina
Published: March 2023

The survival and performance of vegetables in the field production cycle depend on the seedling quality and, in turn, the substrate. Asparagus is not part of the vegetables cultivated in Boa Vista-RR, so basic studies, such as substrate preparation, are necessary. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate the effect of six substrates on the initial development of asparagus seedlings in two growth phases. For this, an experiment was set up in an entirely randomized design, with treatments arranged in a factorial scheme (6 x 2). In the initial phase of the study, six compositions were evaluated with the following materials: (S - soil; M - goat manure; C - root and shoot of cassava) in two sowing seasons. The S40M30C30 substrate stands out by having better particle distribution, 79% ranging between 2 and 0.5 mm and 21% less than 0.5 mm, wet bulk density of 0.823 g cm-3 and dry of 0.726 g cm-3, relative humidity of 7.1% and particle density of 1.88 g cm-3. This substrate also provided higher growth variables than the others and is suitable for growing asparagus in its initial phase. Asparagus seeds should be sown in a substrate prepared with soil and organic waste (goat manure and residue from the shoot and roots of cassava) at least seven days before sowing.
Notes on taxonomic position and origin of two phasmids from Trinidad and Tobago (Phasmatodea, Occidophasmata, Diapheromeridae)
Authors: Bellanger Yannick , Jourdan Toni , Lelong Philippe , Penet Laurent
Published: March 2023

The geographical origin of Caribbiopheromera jamaicana Zompro, 2001, is discussed and called into question, while Clonistria caputaurata Bellanger et al., 2012, is synonymised with Bostra trinitatis Werner, 1929, which is transferred to the genus Clonistria Stål, 1875.
Esoterisme Beragama Pada Anggota Majelis Taklim Muslimat NU di Desa Sepatnunggal
Authors: Latifah Khoerul , Khotimah Khusnul
Published: March 2023

Islam is the religion that the majority of people embrace. The portrait of the diversity of Indonesian Muslims depicts them being organized into more than 30 Islamic organizations. Islamic esotericism will always live in various trajectories of time. Putting forward self-discipline to integrate religious values ​​in economic turmoil requires an extraordinary middle ground (tawazun). The initial formation of an understanding of Islamic teachings assemblies of taklim teaching religious knowledge about fiqh, monotheism, or morality is a dimension. In accordance with the reality in society, the taklim assembly can also be interpreted as a means of preaching, fostering and improving the quality of life of Muslims in accordance with the demands of religious teachings. The method in this study is qualitative with a descriptive approach. According to Islamic teachings, majlis taklim is a place to shape the soul and personality. Therefore, this activity deserves attention and support from the community. Which will create human beings with Islamic nuances and have the mentality to face the changing times that are increasingly advanced. Therefore, through the majlis taklim, the implementation of Islamic values ​​in society is increasing. This is what makes the majlis taklim have its characteristic value compared to other religious institutions.