bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
 Correlation and Influence of Seasonal variation of Diet with Gut Microbiota diversity and Metabolism Profile of chipmunk
Authors: Teng Wei , Maqsood Iram , Huan Wang , Rong Ke , Ma Jianzhang
Published: May 2022

Background: Tamias Sibiricus is the only member of genus Tamias, which is a very important and vigorous seed distributors, and also a vital food for their predators. No information is known about the strict diet, Gut microbiota structure and metabolism profile of chipmunk and how it divers seasonally. Analysis of above mentioned factors, and flexibility toward seasonal shift is crucial to define its growth rates, health, survivorship, and population stability.Results: In this study, we explored the diet, gut microbiota composition, and chipmunk metabolism. Additionally, the influence of different seasons was also investigated by using next-generation sequencing. Results revealed that seasons had a strong effect on a diet : as streptophyte accounted for 37% in spring, which was lowest in summer (34.3%) and autumn (31.4%). Further, Ascomycota was observed 43.8% in spring which reduced to 36.6% in summer and lowest (31.3%) in autumn. Whereas, Nematoda showd maximum abundance from spring (15.8%) to summer (20.6%) and autumn (24.1%). These results are signifying the insectivorous nature of the chipmunk in summer and autumn. While herbivorous and fungivorous nature in spring. The DNA analysis revealed that chipmunk mainly feeds on fungi, including Aspergillus and Penicillium genus. Like diet composition, microbiome also exhibited highly significant dissimilarity (p<0.001, R=0.235) between spring/autumn and spring/summer seasons. Proteobacteria (35.45%), Firmicutes (26.7%) and Bacteroidetes (23.59%) were shown to be the better discriminators as they contributed most to cause differences between seasons. Moreover, PICRUSt was exposed that the assimilation of nutritions were also variated seasonally. The abundance of carbohydrate, lipid, nucleotide, xenobiotics, energy, terpenoids and polyketides metabolism were highest in spring than other seasons. Conclusions: Our study illustrates that seasonal reconstruction in chipmunk diet have a significant role in shaping temporal variations in gut microbial community structure and metabolism profile.
Reveal the biomarkers and immune infiltration of dermatomyositis and explore associated diseases as well as drug molecules by bioinformatics analysis
Authors: Zhou Haonan , Peng Jie , Zong Zhen , Wu Rui , Li Hui
Published: May 2022

Background: Dermatomyositis (DM) is a rare autoimmune disease, which occurs with poorly understood pathogenesis. Unclear pathogenesis and similar symptoms with other inflammatory myopathies make its diagnosis hard. The study was designed to provide more details about the pathogenesis of DM, trying to identify potential biomarkers, biomarkers` associated diseases and drugs for DM`s diagnosis and treatment.Method: GSE142807, GSE1551, GSE5370, GSE39454, GSE48280 and GSE46239 datasets were selected in our study from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). GEO2R was used to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between DM samples and controls. Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis and Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) were conducted to identify enrichment pathways. We used Cytoscape to build up the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was used to verify the preceding analysis. CIBERSORT tool was applied to analyze the immune cell infiltration patterns of DM. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was applied to explore the crucial genes` clinical significance for DM`s diagnosis. DisGeNET database was used to identify associated diseases and Drug Signatures database (DSigDB) was used to identify associated molecule drugs.Results: DEG analysis identified 31 upregulated genes. KEGG analysis indicated that the DEGs were enriched in pathways associated close with viruses. Eight hub genes were obtained through PPI network. STAT1, IFI44L and DDX58 were identified as crucial from eight hub genes after verification of WGCNA. And we found a significantly differential infiltration of regulatory cells and macrophages in DM samples. ROC analysis demonstrated that the 3 genes had excellent clinical values and their combination model had an AUC = 1, potential to be biomarkers for DM`s diagnosis. According to the gene-disease and gene-drugs analysis, Influenza and several cancers including liver carcinoma associated close to the 3 crucial genes and several drugs like prenylamine HL60 UP and suloctidil HL60 UP were identified.Conclusions: The study identified three potential biomarkers (STAT1, IFI44L and DDX58) and revealed the immune infiltration of DM and explored out several diseases including cancer and potential drugs for DM, which might guide future diagnosis and treatment for DM.
Light interaction with natural photonic crystal: from band gap structure to Anderson localization
Authors: Patiño Claudia Patricia Barrera , Mattos Vicente Silva , D’Almeida Camila de Paula , de Oliveira Éverton Lucas , de Oliveira Lucas Orlandi , Neto Jarbas Caiado de Castro , Bagnato Vanderlei Salvador
Published: May 2022

In nature, we can find spectacular optical phenomena exhibited by some material when interacting with light. Complex nanostructures that have evolved to perform specific functions, such as camouflage and preservation of such materials. These structures are so sophisticated that we are, until the present time, looking for the fundamentals of those unique and interesting natural phenomena exhibited by them. Therefore, to understand all the effects related to those structures, it is necessary to combine knowledge from different scientific areas. In this report, we study the structural color observed on the wing samples of Quesada gigas, Greta oto, and Morpho cypris; three native species from South America. The optical effect observed on their wings is due to the particular photonic structure arrays present on their composition. Our interest is mainly to understand how the structural disorder influences the light interaction and consequences. For this purpose, we performed interferometric measurements, used spatiotemporal measurement that can indicate localization of light, and computational methods based on Maxwell-Bloch equations, transfer matrix and Kronig-Penney model. Here we present the results of our measurements and calculations. These results come up with promissory evidence that it is possible to measure the peculiar response of the photonic systems when the light interacts with the presence of disorder introduced in the structure on samples of natural origin. Therefore, in this work we suggest one way to detect Anderson localization in natural photonic structures. Those results allowed us to establish a correlation for similar behavior observed in electronic systems by Anderson and apply it in photonic crystals known as the light semiconductors.
Characterizing alcohol-related disordered eating behaviors in adults with binge eating
Authors: Wilkinson Megan L. , Boyajian Laura E. , Juarascio Adrienne S.
Published: May 2022

Purpose - Alcohol-related disordered eating behaviors (ADEBs; i.e., engagement in dietary restriction or excessive exercise before or after drinking alcohol to avoid weight gain) are associated with negative psychosocial and medical consequences. Previous research has primarily studied ADEBs among community samples. Individuals with clinically-significant binge eating may also engage in ADEBs given high rates of alcohol use and inappropriate weight-control behaviors. The current study aimed to characterize the prevalence and psychological correlates (i.e., weight and shape concerns, alcohol consumption, binge eating frequency) among individuals with clinically-significant binge eating. Methods – Participants were 166 treatment-seeking individuals who engaged in once weekly binge eating over the past three months. Participants completed a clinical interview to assess eating disorder symptoms and self-report measures of alcohol consumption patterns and ADEB engagement. Results - Over one-fourth of participants endorsed at least one ADEBs in the past three months. Participants who endorsed ADEBs reported greater alcohol consumption than participants who drank alcohol but did not endorse ADEBs, after controlling for eating disorder diagnosis. Greater frequency of ADEBs was related to higher weight and shape concerns among individuals who endorsed ADEBs in the past three months. Presence of ADEBs and ADEBs frequency were not related to binge eating frequency. Conclusion - Results suggest that clinicians treating individuals with binge eating who drink alcohol should screen for ADEBs and assess how ADEBs may contribute to an individual’s eating pathology. Further research is necessary to explain how ADEBs may maintain binge eating or affect treatment outcomes. Level of Evidence: Level V, descriptive studies
TERRA G-quadruplex stabilization as a new therapeutic strategy for multiple myeloma
Authors: Scionti Francesca , Juli Giada , Rocca Roberta , Caracciolo Daniele , Riillo Caterina , Polerà Nicoletta , Grillone Katia , Altomare Emanuela , Caparello Basilio , Arbitrio Mariamena , Alcaro Stefano , Tagliaferri Pierosandro , Tassone Pierfrancesco , Martino Maria Teresa Di
Published: May 2022

Background
Multiple Myeloma (MM) is a hematologic malignancy characterized by high genomic instability and telomere dysfunction is an important cause of acquired genomic alterations. Telomeric repeat-containing RNAs (TERRAs) transcripts are long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) involved in telomere stability through the interaction with shelterin complex. Dysregulation of TERRAs has been reported across several cancer types. We recently identified a small molecule, hit 17, which stabilizes the secondary structure of TERRA. In this study, we investigated in vitro and in vivo anti-MM activities of hit 17.
Methods
Anti-proliferative activity of hit 17 was evaluated in different MM cell lines by cell proliferation assay and apoptotic process was analyzed by flow cytometry. Gene and protein expression were detected by qRT-PCR and western blot, respectively. Microarray analysis was used to analyze transcriptome profile. The effect of hit 17 on telomeric structure was evaluated by chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP). Further evaluation in vivo was proceeded upon NCI-H929 and AMO-1 xenograft models.
Results
TERRA G4 stabilization induced in vitro dissociation of telomeric repeat-binding factor (TRF2) from telomeres leading to the activation of ATM-dependent DNA damage response, cell cycle arrest, proliferation block, and apoptotic death in MM cell lines. In addition, up-regulation of TERRA transcription was observed upon DNA damage and TRF2 loss. Transcriptome analysis followed by GSEA confirmed the involvement of the above-mentioned processes and other pathways such as E2F, MYC, oxidative phosphorylation, and DNA repair genes as early events following hit 17-induced TERRA stabilization. Moreover, hit 17 exerted anti-tumor activity against MM xenograft models.
Conclusion
Our findings provide evidence that targeting TERRA by hit 17 could represent a promising strategy for a novel therapeutic approach to MM.
Perceived Influence of Wearable Fitness Trackers on Eating Disorder Symptoms in a Clinical Transdiagnostic Binge Eating and Restrictive Eating Sample
Authors: Wons Olivia , Lampe Elizabeth , Patarinski Anna Gabrielle , Schaumberg Katherine , Butryn Meghan , Juarascio Adrienne S
Published: May 2022

Wearable fitness trackers are an increasingly popular tool for measuring physical activity (PA) due their accuracy and momentary data collection abilities. Despite the benefits of using wearable fitness trackers, there is limited research in the eating disorder (ED) field using wearable fitness trackers to measure PA in the context of EDs. Wearable fitness trackers are often underused in ED research because there is limited known about whether wearable fitness trackers negatively or positively impact PA engagement and ED symptoms in individuals with EDs. The current study aimed to assess the perceived impact wearable fitness trackers have on PA engagement and ED symptoms over a 12-week CBT treatment for 30 individuals with EDs that presented to treatment engaging or not engaging in maladaptive exercise. Participants in the maladaptive exercise group (n = 17) and non-maladaptive exercise group (n = 13) wore a fitness tracker for 12 weeks and completed questionnaires assessing participants’ perceptions of the fitness trackers’ influence on ED symptoms and PA engagement throughout treatment. Results demonstrated a small percentage of individuals perceived the fitness tracker influenced ED behaviors or PA engagement, and there were mixed results on whether participants positively or negatively perceived the fitness tracker influenced them to engage in ED behaviors or PA engagement. Although preliminary, these results demonstrate the need to continue using objective measurements of PA via wearable fitness trackers to further our understanding of the positive and negative effects of fitness trackers on clinical ED samples.
Maternal Term Pruritus and Long-Term Neuropsychiatric Morbidity in the Offspring
Authors: Levanony Omer , Sheiner Eyal , Kluwgant Dvora , Pariente Gali
Published: May 2022

Purpose
Pruritus during pregnancy is associated with adverse maternal, pregnancy, and neonatal outcomes. We opted to assess the association between term pruritus and long-term neuropsychiatric morbidity in the offspring.
Method
In a population-based retrospective cohort study, the incidence of long-term neuropsychiatric morbidity was compared between offspring born to women with or without pruritus at term. Neuropsychiatric morbidity was assessed up to the age of 18 years according to ICD-9 codes associated with hospitalization of the offspring. A Kaplan-Meier survival curve was used to compare cumulative neuropsychiatric morbidity incidence and Cox proportional hazards models were used to control for confounders. The study included 226,918 deliveries of which 600 (0.26%) were in women with term pruritus.
Results
Offspring born to women with pruritus exhibited a higher rate of long-term neuropsychiatric morbidity, specifically developmental and neurodegenerative disorders Kaplan-Meier survival curve demonstrated a significantly higher cumulative incidence of long-term neuropsychiatric morbidity in offspring of women with pruritus. Using several Cox proportional hazards models, being born to a woman with pruritus was independently associated with an increased risk of long-term neuropsychiatric morbidity.
Conclusion
Maternal term pruritus was found to be independently associated with long-term neuropsychiatric morbidity in the offspring.
The triglyceride glucose index: a novel and effective surrogate marker to identify alanine aminotransferase levels
Authors: Hua Yu , Yu Haiyue , Chen Shuang , Zhang Xueyao , Zhang Xingang , Sun Yingxian
Published: May 2022

Introducton: The triglyceride glucose index (TyG) has been proposed as a marker of insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Risk of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels is increased in T2DM patients. We aimed to evaluate the association between TyG index and elevated ALT. Methods: A multicenter, cross-sectional study was conducted in China from Northeast China Rural Cardiovascular Health Study (NCRCHS), and 11,573 adults with complete data were included.Results: TyG index was positively associated with the prevalence of elevated ALT. Frequency of elevated ALT increased from the lowest to the top quartile of TyG in both sexes (p for trend <0.001). Compared with the participants in the lowest quartile of TyG, the adjusted odds ratio and 95% CIs for elevated ALT were 1.71 (1.32-2.21) and 2.46 (1.90-3.19) for those in the third and the fourth quartile of TyG (p<0.001). Compared with the first quartile of TyG, participants in the top quartile of TyG had more than 2 times risk for elevated ALT (2.38-times for men and 2.22-times for women, respectively, p<0.001). According to the ROC analysis, the optimal cut-off point of TyG for elevated ALT was 8.69 and 8.96 for men and women, respectively. Conclusions: TyG index is effective to identify individuals at risk for elevated ALT. TyG thresholds of 8.69 for men and 8.96 for women was highly sensitive for detecting elevated ALT subjects. Findings from this study underscore that TyG index may be suitable as a surrogate marker for abnormal liver enzymes in Chinese adults.
Influence of the Pilates method and anti-cellulite massage for maintaining healthy body composition parameters
Authors: DZIMBOVA TATYANA , MARINSKA RALITSA
Published: May 2022

The aging process leads to many changes in body composition, often without changes in body weight and body mass index (BMI). In general, with age, the percentage of body fat increases and lean body mass and bone mineral density decrease. The aim of the study was to compare basic anthropometric indicators such as weight, body fat percentage, muscle mass, skin folds and circumferences in the two groups. Two groups of subjects participated in the study. The first group of women (age 29.7 ± 6.7 years, height 165.7 ± 5.5 cm, weight 55.7 ± 2.4 kg) performed twice a week Pilates training, and the second group (age 40.3 ± 4.1 years, height 166.1 ± 4.6 cm, weight 59.1 ± 4.3 kg) are physically active women engaged in a variety of physical exercises, but conduct once a week anti-cellulite massage. Research shows that physical activity leads to benefits in terms of weight and body composition. By combining the method of body composition determination and somatotyping, the characteristic features of the body of the person could be measured and give guidelines for correction in physical activity and massage procedures. In addition, women over the age of 40 can keep their body fat percentage within normal limits by combining physical activity with anti-cellulite massage. The increase in muscle mass can continue at the age of 40 with regular exercise. Last but not least, the role of nutrition should be noted. It is extremely important for a healthy weight, but in the studied groups it is necessary to adjust the amounts of carbohydrates and proteins. Increasing the amount of carbohydrates in the form of whole grains, fruits and vegetables would contribute to increased intake of vitamins, minerals and fiber, which will have a good effect on the general condition of individuals. Reducing the amount of protein will not interfere with the normal synthesis of muscle proteins, but will support the liver, kidneys and protect the body from calcium excretion. This study provokes many more questions about the effect of both methods on weight and body composition. If it is possible to conduct planned research (cancellation of the emergency epidemic situation), it would be good to make measurements over time, which will allow to compare the effect of Pilates and anti-cellulite massage.
Differential expression of aquaporin genes and the influence of environmental hypertonicity on their expression in juveniles of air-breathing stinging catfish (Heteropneustes fossilis)
Authors: Chutia Priyambada , Saha Nirmalendu , Das Manas , Goswami Lalit Mohan
Published: May 2022

Aquaporins (AQPs) are a superfamily of transmembrane channel proteins that are responsible for the transport of water and some other molecules to and from the cell, mainly for osmoregulation under anisotonicity. We investigated here the expression patterns of different AQP isoforms and also during exposure to hypertonicity (300 mOsmol/L) for 48 h in juvenile stages of air-breathing stinging catfish (Heteropneustes fossilis). A total of 8 mRNA transcripts for different isoforms of AQPs and their translated proteins could be detected in the anterior and posterior regions of S1, S2, and S3 stages of juveniles of stinging catfish at variable levels. In general, more expression of mRNAs for different aqp genes was seen in the S2 and S3 juveniles than in the S1 juvenile. Most interestingly, exposure to hypertonicity of S2 juvenile for a period of 48 h led to increased expression of most of the aqp genes both at transcriptional and translational levels, except for aqp3 in the anterior and posterior regions and aqp1 in the anterior region, showing maximum expression at later stages of hypertonic exposure. Thus, it is evident that AQPs play crucial roles in maintaining the water and ionic balances under anisotonic conditions even at the early stages of development of stinging catfish as a biochemical adaptational strategy to survive, grow and reproduce in anisotonic environment.
Finite element analysis of changes in tensile strain and deformation by airbag impact in eyes of various axial lengths
Authors: Kobayashi Ayaka , Izaki Ryosuke , Fujita Hideaki , Harada Kazunori , Ozaki Hiroaki , Kadonosono Kazuaki , Uchio Eiichi
Published: May 2022

Purpose: Airbags have substantially reduced mortality and morbidity, while ocular injuries caused by airbags have been reported. We applied a three-dimensional finite element analysis (FEA) model we have established for evaluation of the deformation of an intact eyeball of various axial lengths induced by an airbag impact at various impact velocities.Methods: A model human eye we have created was used in simulations with an FEA program, PAM-GENERISTM (Nihon ESI, Tokyo, Japan). The airbag was set to impact eyes with various axial lengths of 21.85 mm (hyperopia), 23.85 mm (emmetropia) and 25.85 mm (myopia), at initial velocities of 30, 40, 50 and 60 m/s. Changes in the shape of the eye and the strain induced were calculated. Deformation of the eye in a cross-sectional view was displayed sequentially in slow motion.Results: We found that considerable damage, such as corneal or scleral lacerations, was observed especially at higher impact velocities, such as 50 or 60 m/s, in eyes with any axial length. Deformation was most evident in the anterior segment. The decrease rate of axial length was greatest in the hyperopic eye, followed by the myopic eye, and the emmetropic eye.Conclusions: It was shown that hyperopic eyes are most susceptible to deformation by an airbag impact in this simulation. The considerable deformation by an airbag impact on the eye during a traffic accident shown in this study might indicate the necessity of ocular protection to avoid permanent eye damage.
NCX1 coupled with TRPC1 to promote gastric cancer via Ca2+/AKT/β-catenin pathway
Authors: Dong Hui , Wan Hanxing , Gao Nannan , Lu Wei , Lu Cheng , Chen Jun , Wang Yimin
Published: May 2022

Plasma membrane Na+/Ca2+ exchanger 1 (NCX1) is a bidirectional ion transporter to operate in Ca2+ entry and exit modes, and TRPC1 is Ca2+-permeable membrane channels. Both play critical roles in maintaining cytosolic free Ca2+ ([Ca2+]cyt) homeostasis in mammalian cells. Although either TRPC1 channels or Ca2+ entry mode of NCX1 is implicated in several human tumorigenesis, it has not been explored for a coordination of NCX1 and TRPC1 to involve in the pathogenesis of H. pylori-associated gastric cancer (GC). The protein expression of NCX1 was significantly enhanced in human GC specimens, which correlated with tumor progression and poor survival in GC patients. TRPC1 and NCX1 proteins were parallelly enhanced，co-localized and bound in human GC cells. By a functional coupling, TRPC1 drives NCX1 to its Ca2+ entry mode to raise [Ca2+]cyt in GC cells. Moreover, CaCl2, H. pylori and their virulence factors all enhanced expressions and activities of NCX1 and TRPC1, and evoked aberrant Ca2+ entry to promote proliferation, migration, and invasion of GC cells through AKT/b-catenin pathway. Tumor growth and metastasis also depended on the enhanced expression of NCX1 in subcutaneously xenografted GC model of nude mice. Overall, our findings indicate that TRPC1/NCX1 coupling may promote H. pylori-associated GC through the Ca2+/AKT/b-catenin pathway. Since Ca2+ exit mode and Ca2+ entry mode of NCX1 play different roles under mostly physiological and pathological conditions respectively, we propose that targeting TRPC1/NCX1 coupling could be a novel strategy for selectively blocking Ca2+ entry mode to potentially treat digestive cancer.
Intracranial, intratumoral implantation of drug-releasing microdevices in patients with high grade gliomas is feasible, safe, and may predict tumor response to systemic chemotherapy
Authors: Peruzzi  , Dominas Chrstine , Fell Geoffrey , Blitz Sarah , Bernstock  , Dawood Hassan , Triggs NP Daniel , Ahn Sebastian , Bhagavatula Sharath , Tatarova Zuzana , Pannell Michael , Truman Kyla , Ball Anna , Chiocca  , Ligon Keith , Wen Patrick , Jonas Oliver
Published: May 2022

The lack of reliable predictive biomarkers to guide effective therapy is a major obstacle for the advancement of therapy for high grade gliomas (HGG), and particularly glioblastoma (GBM), one of the few cancers whose prognosis has not improved over the past several decades. With this pilot clinical trial we provide first in human evidence that drug-releasing intratumoral microdevices (IMD) can be safely and effectively used to obtain patient-specific, high throughput molecular and histopathological data to inform selection of drugs based on their observed antitumor effect in situ. The use of IMD is seamlessly integrated in standard surgical practice during tumor resection. None of the six enrolled patients experienced adverse events related to the IMD, and the retrieved tissue was usable for downstream analysis for 11 out of 12 retrieved specimens. Molecular analysis of the specimens provided, for the first time in humans, preliminary evidence of the robustness of the readout, with strong correlation between IMD analysis and clinic-radiological responses to temozolomide. From an investigational aspect, the amount of information obtained with IMD allows unprecedented characterization of tissue effects of any drugs of interest, within the physiological context of the intact tumor.
The effect of spatial structure of urban agglomerations on green development: Evidence from China
Authors: Xuanting li , Xiaohong Wang , Shaopeng Zhang
Published: May 2022

Spatial structure reflects physical urban agglomerations development and may have economic, societal, and environmental spillover effects. As China pays more attention to the construction of an ecological civilization and the green high-quality development of urban agglomerations, it is urgent to explore the impact of the spatial structure of urban agglomerations on green development. By using panel data of China’s 16 urban agglomerations from 2004 to 2019, this study analyzes the dynamic impact, nonlinear relationship, mediating mechanism of spatial structure of urban agglomerations on green development. It is indicated that the spatial structure of urban agglomerations has a significant negative influence on green development, but there is a positive spatial spillover effect on green development in neighboring areas. And the results of the dynamic threshold model show that diverse environmental regulation intensities lead to different influences of spatial structure on green development. Moreover, technological innovation plays a partly mediating role in the relationship between the centrality of urban agglomerations and green development.
Clinical symptoms in pre-COVID 19 pandemic versus COVID 19 pandemic samples of Italian university students
Authors: R Cerutti , V Spensieri , S Amendola , GS Biuso , A Renzi , A Gambardella , R Tambelli
Published: May 2022

BACKGROUND
Recent studies on the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic have revealed that university students are in a more vulnerable position in terms of their mental health. METHODS: The aim of this study is to examine differences in clinical symptoms and psychological distress comparing two groups of university students seeking psychological intervention at a University Psychological Counselling Center before the COVID-19 pandemic period and during the pandemic. A sample of 187 students was distributed into two groups: Pre-COVID-19 pandemic (n = 115) and COVID-19 Pandemic (n = 72). The Personality Inventory-Brief Form for DSM-5 was used to measure personality traits; the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised was used to assess clinical symptoms and the Outcome Questionnaire-45 explored important psychological distress.
RESULTS
Findings highlighted higher levels of clinical symptoms in COVID-19 pandemic students than in pre-pandemic ones. Conversely, the two groups did not differ in psychological distress. Data seems to confirm that the pandemic period had a negative impact on the mental health of university students seeking psychological help.
CONCLUSION
Findings indicate the need to monitor the clinical symptomatology of university students to prevent long-term psychopathology influencing academic functioning.
Probabilistic Assessment of the Interaction between Weather, COVID-19 and Exchange rate of Mumbai City in India using Archimedean Copulas
Authors: Barma Surajit Deb , Uttarwar Sameer Balaji , Mahesha Amai
Published: May 2022

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused an unprecedented health crisis across the world. When there is no specific solution available to tackle the pandemic, there is an urgency to know the pertinent factors like weather and its interaction with the number of daily cases and impact on the economy. The purpose of this investigation is to determine the probabilistic assessment of mean temperature and relative humidity on the number of COVID-19 infected cases and its effect on the Indian Rupees (INR) exchange rate against US dollar for the city of Mumbai. The bivariate Archimedean copulas were applied to assess the conditional probability of the number of cases given mean daily temperature and relative humidity and also the conditional probability of INR exchange rate given the number of daily new cases. Though the number of cases and mean temperature are positively correlated, but the maximum probability of occurrence is just about 20% for Tmean < = 30ºC, 35ºC in the interval of 101–200 cases. The pattern of the likelihood of occurrence of the number of COVID-19 cases to the mean relative humidity is similar to that of the mean daily temperature except for RHmean < = 45% when the probability is almost negligible while moving from one interval to another of the number of cases. The maximum probability of occurrence is about 20% for RHmean < = 75% in the interval of 101–200 cases. Our results also reveal that the probability of occurrence of the Indian rupee depreciating to INR 76–77 range remained high, irrespective of the number of cases. A note of caution is that these conditional probability figures are not the absolute probable of occurrence, rather a percentage change of the conditional probability while moving from lower end to higher end values for a given interval.
Promoting female entrepreneurship in tourism for sustainable development
Authors: Tovmasyan Gayane
Published: May 2022

The paper presents the arguments and counterarguments within the scientific discussion on the issue of the development of female entrepreneurship in tourism. Today female entrepreneurs consider being the driving force of economies. Many governments try to promote female engagement in many economies to cover the gender gap. The tourism sphere has a great significance in the economy of the Republic of Armenia. For Armenia, it is crucial to foster female entrepreneurship in tourism that leads to sustainable and equitable development of regions and contributes to social, economic, and environmental development. Today women face many problems for starting a business in tourism in Armenia. The problems are connected with the lack of finance, necessary knowledge, and skills in management, marketing, business organization, etc. The research aims to explore the main competencies and needs of sustainable entrepreneurship and female entrepreneurial skills in the tourism sector. Systematization literary sources and approaches for solving the problem unveiled many studies on promoting female entrepreneurship in tourism. Investigation of the topic in the paper is carried out in the following logical sequence. Firstly, some literature sources were discussed, then the current tourism situation in Armenia was analyzed, and finally, the main results of surveys were presented. The methodological tool of the research was mainly a survey based on a questionnaire, which includes about 50 questions and 45 questions regarding the main skills. The study applied quantitative and statistical methods to analyze the survey results. The survey engaged women who have or plans to start a business in tourism. The results indicate that women have many problems with starting a business. Also, they have difficulties in business development, doing innovations, marketing and attracting tourists, etc. They rate their skills level at a medium-rare, and the majority want to improve their skills for doing business, marketing, communication, analytical, decision-making, and other skills. The results could be the basis on which many steps are taken to promote sustainable female entrepreneurship in tourism.
Innovation in healthcare management: drug decriminalization for reducing the health damage from crime
Authors: Aliyeva Zamina
Published: May 2022

The article focuses on the positive impact of drug legalization on reducing crime and violence's impact on health. The authors considered the potential of an innovative approach to crime prevention and health care improvement. Criminalization may reduce drug harm, but the current criminal-justice approach to drugs is not working enough. Drug use is still widespread, public. The personal harms are significantly large. There are a lot of short- and long-term health effects from crime and violence. The World Health Organization affirms that rates of drug use are unrelated to how effectively drug laws are enforced. Thus, it is actually to find new possibilities and develop new methods to reduce crime level and its negative influence. Drug decriminalization is one of such important issues. This article aims to investigate drug decriminalization for reducing the health damage from crime in the context of innovation in healthcare management. There is a comparative analysis of some drug legalization policies: decriminalization of the use and possession of all illicit drugs (with the control of their legal supply) or legalization of the use and supply of cannabis etc. The dynamic analysis of data for different types of crime, such as unlawful acts involving controlled drugs or precursors, intentional homicide, assault, kidnapping, sexual assault, and other violent crime both in two groups of countries – with criminal-justice and innovation health care (including drug decriminalization) approaches were taken. Portugal, Switzerland, Netherlands, Czechia are among the countries of the second group, which have decriminalized drug use and possession for personal use and have invested in harm reduction programs. The research consists of data for 25 European countries for 2008-2018 (the time limit of 2018 is determined by available statistics of the statistical service of the European Union, World Health Organization, UN Office on Drugs & Crime Databases, etc.). Based on the correlation and regression analysis, it is substantiated that drug decriminalization is an important factor in reducing the health damage from crime.
Innovative NFC-validation system for accounting of income and expenses of public transport enterprises
Authors: Zadorozhnyi Zenovii-Mykhaylo , Muravskyi Volodymyr , Shesternyak Mariya , Hrytsyshyn Anna
Published: May 2022

To control pricing in passenger transportation, monitor the functioning of urban transport networks, reduce direct contacts during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is advisable to implement a system of NFC validation of fares. NFC (Near-Field Communication) technology provides primary information on public transport and travel fares. The article aims to improve the method of application of the technology of automated NFC-validation of fares in urban passenger transport to account for and control provided transport services. The tasks include research of mechanisms of the automated identification and counting of quantity of the transported passengers to account incomes of the motor transport enterprises; selection of calculation units for automated determination of the cost of provided transport services; development of control methods of drivers work, the operation of vehicles, transportation of privileged categories of citizens, pricing, etc. Theoretical and methodological aspects of NFC-validation technologies for public transport fares for accounting purposes have been studied based on general research methods – institutional and innovative; economic and mathematical methods of analysis and polynomial trend using Excel spreadsheets were used to predict the pace of implementation of NFC-devices; methods of bibliographic and comparative analysis using the information resource «ResearchGate»– to determine promising areas for new technologies in the provision of transport and passenger services. It is proved that the most effective unit of cost calculation of transport services is «passenger-kilometer», which corresponds to the peculiarities of the functioning of urban passenger transport, as it takes into account the number of passengers and distance of travel. The procedure for distribution of income from the sale of electronic tickets and budget subsidies between carriers based on information on the total number (including privileged categories) of transported passengers has been developed. The method of automated cost accounting by the «passenger-kilometer» meter for fuels and lubricants, staff salaries, depreciation of vehicles, and its current repairs, which define the cost of transport services, is improved. Implementing NFC fare validation technology will facilitate automated accounting of costs, revenues, and cash receipts from transport services, the introduction of effective control over the work of drivers, vehicles, concessional transportation, pricing, timeliness, and reliability taxes on urban transport.
Innovative, Economic and Marketing Determinants of Financial Security and Sustainability of Business
Authors: Taghiyeva Turan , Tiutiunyk Inna
Published: May 2022

The article aims to summarize the main determinants that affect the business's level of financial security and financial stability. Based on the bibliometric analysis, the authors identified the main areas of research on financial security and the stability of the business. They conducted a comparative analysis of trends in the number of publications on these issues. With the help of VOSviewer tools, the main economic categories that are most closely related to financial security and sustainability of business were identified. The paper substantiates that economic, innovation, and marketing determinants in various combinations could significantly affect the financial security and sustainability of the business. Based on the systematization of existing scientific achievements, the authors proposed a methodological approach to assessing the business's financial security level. The authors hypothesized the statistically significant impact of economic, innovative, and marketing determinants on the level of financial security of the business. The information base of the study is the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund data. Dickey-Fuller test and Johansen test were used to test the hypothesis. The validity of the results and the nature of the relationship between the indicators were tested by constructing the equation of end-to-end regression (Wald test), regression with fixed individual effects (Brush-Pegan test), and regression with random individual effects (Hausman test). According to the study results, measures to increase the level of financial security of business and minimize the negative impact of certain determinants were proposed.
Estonian Marketers' Attitude Towards Podcasts as an Innovative Marketing Channel
Authors: Resilient Kaja , Kurtis Mare , Ohlau Aili
Published: May 2022

This paper summarizes the arguments and counterarguments on attitude toward podcasts as an innovative marketing channel based on the experience of Estonian marketers. Podcasts as a marketing channel are known globally. Literature sources and approaches addressed to this topic indicate that podcast advertising is becoming increasingly popular due to the growing number of listeners, both in the USA and Europa. Although Estonia is known for introducing innovative solutions, the use of podcasts as a marketing channel is relatively modest. The survey aimed to find out the attitude of Estonian marketers to podcasts as a possible marketing channel to define how to improve the profitability of podcasts' ads. The study fills the gap in this research area. Furthermore, based on the study's results, suggestions for increasing the profits of podcasts for a particular Estonian Media Company were made. The suggestions are also helpful to other companies in the podcast advertising business, especially those just starting or acting in small markets like the Estonian-speaking market. The qualitative and quantitative research methods (a structured questionnaire and interviews) were used. Interviews were conducted with two experts of the media channel. The interviews were analysed, and problems referred to were further studied quantitatively using questionnaires. The electronic survey with 25 questions was conducted amongst marketers of various companies. The survey results showed that 42% of Estonian marketers consider podcasts a suitable marketing channel. Nevertheless, in the study authors highlighted the weaknesses: the listeners' numbers and profiles lacked information and little information about advertising effectiveness. Marketers also considered their knowledge about podcast advertising opportunities insufficient. For making podcasts more profitable, it is necessary to increase podcasts' visibility, raise clients' awareness about advertising opportunities of podcasts, share podcasts' success stories, and introduce ways of measuring the effectiveness of the podcast ads.
Management of Innovation in Azerbaijan: Relationships with Competitiveness and Sustainable Development
Authors: Ibraghimov Elshen A.
Published: May 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic, negatively affecting the achievement of most of the Sustainable Development Goals, is leading to a significant crisis, especially in less developed economies, and poses serious challenges to governments around the world. Negative annual GDP growth per capita in Azerbaijan in 2020 amounted to -4.95% (below the world average of 0.56%), necessitating the resumption of short-term economic growth and achieving long-term competitiveness, sustainable development, and inclusive economy. Azerbaijan's positions in these areas, namely 58th place out of 141 countries in the global competitiveness ranking (63rd place for innovation potential and 73rd place for ICT implementation), 55th place out of 165 countries in the Sustainable Development Index, 80th place out of 131 countries according to the Global Innovation Index testify to the important role of innovation management in Azerbaijan. The article's main purpose is to study the relationship between innovation development, competitiveness, and sustainable development of the country. To empirically confirm the hypotheses, a sample of 9 countries (Azerbaijan, Georgia, Armenia, Germany, France, Finland, Estonia, Poland, Czech Republic) was formed. Several indicators were analysed based on data from the statistical department of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, the World Bank, the World Economic Forum, and the World Intellectual Property Organization from 2010 to 2020. Statistical analysis of indicators of sustainable development, competitiveness, and innovative development of the studied countries. With the help of correlation-regression analysis and the Granger test (using the STATA software package), the mutual directions of influence of indicators of innovative development, the competitiveness of the country, and sustainable development in Azerbaijan and other sample countries were established. A regression model with random effects was built. The impact of the parameters of innovative development on the annual GDP growth per capita as a key component of the country's competitiveness and its sustainable development was formalized and assessed. The obtained results could be useful in developing measures to increase competitiveness and achieve sustainable development goals in Azerbaijan and further research.
Financial Innovation Management: Impact of Fiscal Decentralization on Economic Growth of the Baltic Countries
Authors: Slavinskaite Neringa , Lapinskiene Giedrė , Hlawiczka Roman , Vasa Laszlo
Published: May 2022

The management process of fiscal policy incorporates a wide analysis of various factors. The dynamic financial approach should be applied in deciding the level of centralization. The article offers the usage of the multicriteria method in selecting fiscal variables as a new instrument for financial evolution. In this article, the hypothesis of decentralization's impact on economic growth is tested to show the growth opportunities. The implications of the fiscal decentralization index on economic growth across the Baltic States for 2005-2017 were examined using a panel data approach with dynamic effects. The Baltic countries (Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania) are often considered as a single region with similar economic profiles and common political and social values. They are closely related geographically and historically, particularly during the Soviet era. Although their post-Soviet development has been similar, there are significant differences in local administrative systems and government finances. After restoring independence, the three Baltic countries have been reorganizing their public institutions according to western standards. Each country has some differences in organizing the management of local governments. The study's novelty is emphasized by supplementing the analysis with a fiscal decentralization index, including 24 fiscal decentralization indicators. The fiscal decentralization index ranges from 0.29 to 0.51. Lithuania (0,29) has the lowest fiscal decentralization index, the highest – Latvia (0.52) in the Baltic countries. The investigated model has revealed that the facts considered produce a statistically significant effect. Results showed a negative relationship between fiscal decentralization and economic growth in the Baltic States from 2005 to 2017. It should not be forgotten that, in some cases, regions are not capable of implementing green and inclusive growth without the influence of the central government.