bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Profitability measurement of selected Islamic Shariah-based private commercial banks in Bangladesh: A comparative Study
Authors: Taslina Pervin  , Emdadul Hoque
Published: April 2024

The purpose of this study is to analyze the profitability of five selected five Islami banks with a Shariah foundation and to determine whether these banks are more or less profitable. This study makes use of secondary data that was gathered from selected banks' annual reports between 2013 and 2022. This study employed a parametric approach; comparisons were assessed using descriptive analysis; the ANOVA test was used to assess reliability; and multiple regressions was utilized to assess impact. SPSS version 2014 is utilized for multiple regression analysis, and Excel 10 is used for ANOVA tests. The results indicate that the profitability of the selected banks is fairly high, with every bank under examination achieving favorable outcomes. The percentage of deposits with assets and the distribution of assets among the sample banks are not moderate. The inadequate asset allocation of FSIBPLC is indicated by its low return on assets. Furthermore, the bank has a deficiency in the area of net profit margin (NPM). Additionally, SIBL's debt collection and repayment are inadequate. Investors will be deterred from investing by the significant variations in return on equity found in almost every bank during the research period. Reducing overhead costs and enhancing the appropriate distribution of loans and advances will boost operating income and net profit efficiency. Above all, FSIBPLC and AIBPLC have fared well across the board. To optimize their profitability, the three remaining banks—IBBPLC, SIBL, and UBBPLC—had to step up their efforts.
Pediatrics 2 experience, Neuropediatrics and neurometabolic diseases unit on phenylcetonuria: About 36 patients
Authors: F. ETIENE IRINEU  , H. LACHRAF  , H. RHOUDA  , G. ZOUIRI  , S. MOUSSAOUI  , H. LAJJI  , H. TALBAOUI  , S. DAHRI  , L. CHABRAOUI  , Y. KRIOUILE
Published: April 2024

Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a hereditary metabolic disease of phenylalanine metabolism, linked to a deficiency of phenylalanine hydroxylase or its cofactor, an enzyme allowing the transformation of phenylalanine into tyrosine, resulting in an increase in blood and brain concentration. of PHA, comprising an intellectual disability with cognitive and behavioral disorders if it is not treated. We report 36 cases of phenylketonuria followed in the pediatric department 2, born to consanguineous parents in 58.4% of cases and non-consanguineous in 41.6%, the male sex represents the majority with 22 cases and female with 14 cases, The age of diagnosis minimum 3 days of life and maximum 16 years and the current age of patients minimum 4 years and maximum 37 years with comorbidities like epilepsy, motor disorders, behavioral disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorder and mental retardation and about 70% have a regular monitoring. Through this series we will support the epidemiological, clinical, paraclinical and therapeutic particularities of patients with phenylketonuria. Early diagnosis of the disease makes it possible to initiate treatment early, which is mainly based on a diet low in phenylalanine for life in order to improve the progressive prognosis and avoid irreversible after-effects.
Study of the sizing of a fecal sludge treatment station in the town of Kissidougou (Republic of Guinea)
Authors: Yakouba TRAORE  , Ansoumane SAKOUVOGUI  , Baba Diogo DIALLO  , Mamby KEITA
Published: April 2024

The management of fecal sludge is a concern for cities in Guinea such as the city of Kissidougou. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility of setting up a fecal sludge treatment station at the Songbo public landfill, 3 km from the city center of Kissidougou. The methodology adopted for this study is based on: the choice and installation site of the treatment structure, the determination of the geometric parameters of the station, the identification of construction materials and the estimation of the cost of carrying out the the work. For this reason, the upstream hypotheses were defined and the analytical formulas were used. The emptying flow produced by the urban municipality is estimated at 176 m3/day of materials. The volumes of these works are: optional basin (1300 m3); anaerobic pond (384 m3) and maturation pond (1828 m3). The investment cost of building the station amounts to 25 301 546 000 GNF over a requested area of 2 hectares. However, before the establishment of these stations, the Guinean government, through state structures, should carry out preliminary actions to raise awareness among all stakeholders in the sector and regulate it in order to be able to perpetuate this study project.
ScholarOne - BEYOND THE BUZZ: SCHOLARLY APPROACHES TO THE STUDY OF WORK
Authors: Monteiro Pedro , Nicolini Davide , Erickson Ingrid , Cohen Lisa , Dokko Gina , Corporaal Greetje , Karunakaran Arvind , Bechky Beth , O’Mahony Siobhan
Published: April 2024

The place of work in organization studies and management has waxed and
waned. Yet, today, social and technological developments have raised
again interest in the study of work and this curated discussion brings
together experts in key approaches to this topic. Seven contributions
have been selected to provide a panorama of what we know about work
while pointing to some uncharted territories worthy of future
exploration. The contributions outline the principles behind and value
of systemic, contextualized, or holistic view of work and report
insights on how changes in some work components reverberate in its
broader ecology. We hope this curated discussion will make us more aware
of the collective journey scholars have charted so far while posing new
questions and opening or re-directing new avenues of inquiry.
ScholarOne - Do Women Want to Lead? Gender Differences in Motivation to Lead in Healthcare Employees
Authors: Esveldt Sarah
Published: April 2024

Purpose: Women make essential contributions to the workforce in the
United States but still hold a minority of senior leadership and chief
executive officer positions in healthcare. The goal of this explanatory
quantitative survey study was to measure the extent to which there are
differences in the motivation to attain leadership positions between men
and women. Methods: A stratified, random sample of 219 men and women
employed in the healthcare industry were surveyed using the Motivation
to Lead (MtL) questionnaire, a validated survey model that measures
three leadership motivational factors. The data was analyzed using
quantitative analysis. Principal Findings: Significant gender
differences in motivation to lead were found in areas related to
self-efficacy, prior leadership experience, and personality traits of
extraversion and individualism. There were no significant gender
differences in motivation to lead related to personality traits of
collectivism, agreeableness, and emotional stability.
ScholarOne - Examining the Impact of Shared Leadership and Team Psychological Capital on Empowerment in Virtual Teams
Authors: R Vijaya Raghavan , Tirunagari, Ramya , Singh Amolak Singh , P Jyothi
Published: April 2024

With the worldwide COVID-19 outbreak, the gig economy, the
lightning-fast technological advancements, workforce diversity, the
emergence of freelance virtual contributors, and the blurring of
work-life boundaries, a new collective leadership model called “Shared
Leadership” became imperative. In this context, the virtual teams may
experience conflicts that must be resolved constructively so that the
team members can assume their duties and demonstrate excellent positive
team behaviour, including team performance. The Team must be in an
“empowered mental state” to achieve this. The existing literature
acknowledges that Shared Leadership (SL) is an antecedent for Team
Empowerment (TE). However, these studies hardly examine the mental
process through which SL leads to TE. The literature explains the role
of psychological capital as the mediating factor between SL and
employees’ positive job outcomes like team citizenship behaviour and
team performance, which are physical and behavioural outcomes. This
article fills an essential gap in the literature by examining the
involvement of Team Psychological Capital (TPC) in helping SL to develop
TE. Here, data was collected from 402 virtual team members belonging to
48 teams from various Indian industries. By conducting partial least
squares structural equation modelling and looking at the Team as the
unit of analysis, the Study showed that Team psychological capital
partially mediates the relationship between SL and TE. Based on the
results, the authors recommend that managers focus on decentralized
Leadership and take steps to develop TPC for creating a high-empowered
team.
ScholarOne - How to better motivate participants: Digital incentives in digital platforms
Authors: Sun Xinbo , He Zhiwei
Published: April 2024

This study aims to deepen the understanding of digital incentives. We
employed a case study approach to examine a Chinese firm. Based on
coding and analyzing rich primary and secondary data, we explore the
characteristics and effects of digital incentives. The findings show
that digital incentives based on digital technologies such as blockchain
include both incentive digitalization and data incentivization. It can
effectively motivate participants to collaborate to improve innovation
performance. Meanwhile, the information transparency mechanism and trust
mechanism embedded in digital incentive contracts can effectively
inhibit participants’ opportunistic behaviors, which help to cope with
the incompleteness of contracts and improve the effectiveness of digital
incentives. The study also reveals the dynamic evolution model in the
execution of digital incentive contracts. The findings suggest that this
dynamic model is conducive to the adaptive adjustment of incentive
resource portfolio, and coordinates the interests and expectations of
participants, thus achieving the sustainability of digital incentives.
Important practical implications suggest that digital platforms should
focus on the role of digital technologies such as blockchain to drive
the digital transformation of organizational incentives.
Multi-objective optimisation of VCR systems by applying TOPSIS to the single-objective solutions obtained with Excel Solver
Authors: El-Awad Mohamed Musadag , Al-Saidi Mohammad Saif
Published: April 2024

This paper describes two methods for using the single-objective solver that comes with Microsoft Excel and the TOPSIS decision-making technique for multi-objective optimisation of a two-stage vapour-compression refrigeration (VCR) system. The Excel-aided model developed for analysing the exergetic and economic performance of the system was first used to obtain six optimised solutions by using the two solution methods provided by Solver that separately maximised the system’s exergetic efficiency (ε) and minimise its total cost-rate (Ctotal) and equipment cost rate (Cequip). A dual-objective optimised solution that simultaneously maximises ε and minimises Ctotal was also obtained by using the MIDACO solver. The first method applies TOPSIS to rank the seven optimised solutions by using five weighting schemes. As should be expected, the results of this method show that MIDACO’s dual-objective solution achieved the first rank, while the two Solver solutions that minimised the equipment cost rate occupied the lowest two ranks. According to this method, the two Solver solutions that maximised the exergetic efficiency closely satisfy the dual objective of the 2E optimisation. The second method applies TOPSIS in an active manner by using Solver to adjust the relevant design variables so that the parameter Ci that measures the closeness of the base design to the ideal dual-objective target is maximised. The results obtained show that this method cannot only produce a multi-objective solution, but that its solution is closer to the ideal dual-objective target than MIDACO’s 2E solution.
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The history of the Geophysical and Astronomical Observatory of the University of Coimbra as a didactic tool in physical and natural sciences in lower and upper secondary education in Portugal
Authors: Figueiredo Fernando B. , Leonardo José , Correia Gina P.
Published: April 2024

This paper explores the potential of making use of the history of the Geophysical and Astronomical Observatory of the University of Coimbra (OGAUC) to promote an interdisciplinary approach to science education and foster critical thinking and scientific literacy among Portuguese lower and upper secondary school students. For more than 200 years, OGAUC has played a significant role in advancing various astronomical and geophysical areas and the history of science in Portugal, making it a valuable resource for science educators. This article presents a teacher training course designed to use OGAUC science history as a teaching science didactic and pedagogical tool, equipping lower and upper secondary school teachers with the knowledge and skills to do so. The course structure, objectives and results are described, highlighting OGAUC’s scientific history for students’ motivation and learning outcomes. This article contributes to the growing literature on the use of the history of science as a didactic and pedagogical tool and provides practical insights for science educators and teacher trainers. In conclusion, this article argues that the history of scientific sites such as the OGAUC can be used as a valuable didactic and pedagogical tool for science education and outreach, as it promotes interdisciplinary thinking, critical thinking, and scientific literacy among students. Using the historical context of scientific institutions, science educators can enhance students' engagement, understanding, and appreciation of science.
‘खेल’ कथाको समाजभाषिक विश्लेषण {Sociolinguistic Analysis of 'Khel'}
Authors: शर्मा Sharma विष्णुप्रसाद Bishnu Prasad
Published: April 2024

समकालीन कथाकार रामलाल जोशीद्वारा लिखित ‘खेल’ कथालाई बहुलवादी कोणबाट हेर्न सकिन्छ । यस सन्दर्भमा प्रस्तुत कथालाई यहाँ समाज भाषा वैज्ञानिक प्रतिमानका आधारमा विश्लेषण गरिएको छ । ‘खेल’ कथालाई समाज भाषा वैज्ञानिक कोणबाट निरूपण गर्न प्रस्तुत अध्ययनको उद्देश्य हो । यसका लागि गुणात्मक कृतिपरक अनुसन्धान ढाँचा, व्याख्यावादी दर्शन र समाजभाषिक सिद्धान्तलाई आधार बनाइएको छ । अध्ययनमा पुस्तकालयीय कार्यबाट प्राथमिक र द्वितीयक स्रोतका तथ्याङ्क सङ्कलन गरी तिनलाई समाज भाषा वैज्ञानिक सिद्धान्तका आधारमा निरूपण गरिएको छ । भाषिक समुदाय, बोलीको जातित्व, भाषा र समाजको सम्बन्ध, कोड मिश्रण, सांस्कृतिकता, भाषिका आदि तथ्याङ्क विश्लेषणका आधार हुन् । प्राप्त तथ्याङ्कका आधारमा कथामा सुदूर पश्चिमेली भाषिक समुदायको प्रतिबिम्बन पाइन्छ । सामाजिक संरचनाको प्रभाव भाषामा भेटिन्छ । भाषामा नातासम्बन्धी विविधता र भाषिक व्यवहारगत अनेकताको स्वरूप देखिन्छ । खुसीले उफ्रँदा, कराउँदा, रिसाउँदा, प्रश्न गर्दा, धिक्कार्दा, उपदेश दिँदा भाषामा सामाजिक प्रभाव भेटिन्छ । कथामा बाल, वयस्क, ग्रामीण, मौलिक, स्थानीय भाषाको विविधता भेट्न सकिन्छ । स्थानीय संस्कृति र त्यसको भाषिक प्रभावले कथा जीवन्त बन्न पुगेको छ । यिनै आधारमा नेपाली कथाको विकास यात्रामा प्रस्तुत कथाले विशिष्ट पहिचान कायम राख्न सफल देखिन्छ ।
Nepal’s Performance in Achieving Sustainable Development Goals: A Critical Evaluation
Authors: Pant Ram Kumar
Published: April 2024

This study focuses on the agenda of UN conference to be achieved by 2030. The main objective of the study is to assess the sustainable development goals achieved by Nepal in different points of time and its work progress made by Nepal. Based on the qualitative as well as descriptive method, this study explores the localization of sustainable development goals in the context of Nepal. It has found out 17 goals, out of which Nepal has made high performance in goals 5, 12 and 13 and doing satisfactory progress in other goals like 4, 6 and 1, respectively. However, the country is surpassing through the difficult situations in order to achieve the goals by the timeframe. Nepal has added more indicators to localize sustainable development goals in the context of the country. The post covid-19, natural disaster and nation’s internal political instability, political commitment and insufficient resources are considered hindrances in achieving the declared goals.
Numerical studies of a layered lithium-boron target for laser-driven aneutronic fusion reactions
Authors: Gruenwald Johannes , Morejon Leonel
Published: April 2024

This paper explores a novel target design for laser-driven, aneutronic, proton-boron and proton-lithium fusion reactions consisting of a stack of boron and lithium foils. In contrast to a homogeneous target, this multi-layer setup provides additional fusion channels in the different materials. The composition of the layers is chosen in descending order of the fusion reactions' thresholds, facilitating the fusion of protons that penetrate further into the material despite their energy losses due to electronic and nuclear stopping power. We employ a combination of Fluka simulations and additional numerical computations to evaluate thousands of target configurations. Four different beam energy distributions are considered: two Gaussian distributions with 6~MeV and 10~MeV mean energies, respectively, a Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution and a power law distribution. We explore the production of energy in a range of layer thicknesses motivated by the proton ranges based on ionization losses. The configuration which maximizes the produced energy for each beam type is reported. The production of fusion energy ranges from hundreds to thousands of millijoules for proton bunches of $10^{15}$ having mean energies between 2-10 MeV.
On the significance of the external circuit, Langmuir and Bohm criterion for the stability of plasma fireballs
Authors: Gruenwald Johannes
Published: April 2024

This paper is devoted to studying the influence of the external circuit as well as the Langmuir and Bohm criterion on the stability of plasma fireballs. A simple mathematical model is suggested that describes why plasma fireballs can get unstable up to the point where they start pulsating. The predictions of this model are compared to measured experimental data. Furthermore, it is argued that the Bohm criterion in particular determines whether a stable plasma fireball can be formed. This adds to the current understanding that fireballs are preliminarily formed due to a change in the space charge in front of a positively biased electrode in surrounding plasma. It is argued that the space charge distribution near the vicinity of the anode surface might play a role but that the initial stages of fireball formation are dominantly driven by the requirement of the double layer to satisfy Bohm’s sheath criterion and Langmuir’s criterion. The same holds for a collapsing fireball. This paper shows that if the Langmuir and the Bohm criterion are not satisfied simultaneously, a fireball cannot reach a stable state and will start pulsating with a frequency that is proportional to the square root of the mass of the working gas ions.
CHARACTERISTICS OF IMMUNE PARAMETERS WHEN USING RECOMBINANT HUMAN INTERLEUKIN-2
Authors:   Novokuznetsk State Institute for Advanced Medical Education, Branch of the Russian Medical Academy of Continuing Professional Education, Novokuznetsk, Russia, Alekseev Andrey M.
Published: April 2024

Recombinant human interleukin-2 induces T-cell proliferation and is a central regulator of immune responses. Objective: to study the parameters of immunity when using rIL-2. Materials and Methods. As part of the scientific process, methods were applied to determine circulating immune formations using precipitation reactions with polyethylene glycol, as well as to assess the function of phagocytosis by leukocytes according to the method proposed by Slavskaya and Berman. The SOLAR PV 1251C was used to collect spectral data and morphological observations were made using optical microscopy. The processing and interpretation of the results were carried out using the Statistica 10.0 software. Results. In the main group, a significantly higher concentration of Ig A was observed than in the comparison group No. 2 – Ig G (p ˂ 0.05). The phagocytosis completion index and the absolute phagocytic index were at a level below normal values only in comparison groups No. 1 and No. 2, in which cytokine preparations were not administered, and in the rIL-2 application group (main group), these parameters were at a normal level, which indicates on the effectiveness of the use of this drug in terms of maintaining both absorption and digestion phagocytic functions. Conclusions Recombinant cytokines act exclusively within the wound, indicating not only the effectiveness, but also the safety of this group of drugs in patients with SSI.
ANALISIS DAMPAK PENDIDIKAN, PERUMAHAN DAN PENGANGGURAN TERHADAP TINGKAT KEMISKINAN DI KABUPATEN/KOTA SE-JAWA TIMUR
Authors: Hidayah Nur Roudlotul
Published: April 2024

Kemiskinan termasuk permasalahan klasik yang ada pada hampir seluruh belahan negara serta bersifat multidimensional. Kemiskinan akan terjadi salah satunya jika masyarakat banyak yang berpendidikan rendah, dengan pendidikan yang rendah tersebut berakibat pada sulitnya mencari pekerjaan sehingga mempengaruhi pendapatan yang diperoleh dan berujung pada kemiskinan. Tujuan daripada penelitian berikut ialah guna pengujian pengaruh pendidikan (diukur dari tingkat melek huruf), perumahan (diukur dari proporsi rumah tangga yang menggunakan tanah sebagai bahan dasar lantai), dan pengangguran (diukur dari tingkat pengangguran terbuka) terhadap tingkat kemiskinan di Kabupaten/Kota se-Jawa Timur. Metodologi penelitian yang digunakan adalah analisis regresi linier berganda. Temuan penelitian menunjukkan bahwa tidak ada satupun model penelitian yang bertentangan atau memenuhi asumsi klasik. Tingginya angka kemiskinan di kabupaten/kota se-Jawa Timur disebabkan oleh faktor pendidikan, perumahan, dan pengangguran dengan nilai R2 sejumlah 60,7%. Koefisien regresi menunjukkan bahwa variabel pendidikan (angka melek huruf) mempunyai pengaruh yang besar terhadap kemiskinan, variabel perumahan (rumah tangga yang menggunakan tanah sebagai lantai terluas) mempunyai pengaruh yang besar terhadap kemiskinan, serta variabel pengangguran (tingkat pengangguran terbuka) mempunyai pengaruh yang besar sehingga berdampak terhadap kemiskinan. Variabel pendidikan, perumahan, dan pengangguran mempunyai dampak simultan terhadap tingkat kemiskinan di Kabupaten/Kota se-Jawa Timur.
IMPLEMENTASI DIGITAL MARKETING MELALUI SOCIAL MEDIA SEBAGAI STRATEGI PEMASARAN DALAM MENINGKATKAN VOLUME PENJUALAN PADA PELAKU USAHA PEMULA
Authors: Fadhilah Salwa
Published: April 2024

Perkembangan teknologi yang semakin canggih memberikan kemudahan bagi pelaku bisnis pemula untuk berbisnis. Kesulitan awal dalam menjalankan bisnis bagi pelaku bisnis pemula adalah bagaimana menemukan strategi promosi yang tepat dari produk yang ditawarkan. Penjualan produk pakaian bekas (thrift) dari toko online Sadrathrifting merupakan produk pakaian bekas yang masih layak pakai, memiliki keunikan dan banyak digemari oleh kalangan remaja sampai orang dewasa. Sehingga menjadi persoalan yang penting bagi pelaku bisnis khususnya bagi pelaku bisnis pemula untuk menentukan media promosi agar diperoleh pasar yang lebih luas dan tepat sasaran. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk melengkapi studi-studi terdahulu dan mengetahui strategi digital marketing yang digunakan oleh toko online Sadrathrifting sebagai informasi terbaru bagi pelaku bisnis pemula khususnya dalam bisnis pakaian bekas. Studi ini terfokus pada strategi apa yang diterapkan oleh pelaku bisnis pakaian bekas dalam memasarkan produknya melalui sosial media facebook, instagram, dan e-commerce (shopee). Untuk menjawab pertanyaan tersebut digunakan pendekatan kualitatif dengan menggunakan metode Social Media Analytics yang merujuk pada pengumpulan informasi dari media sosial. Metode pengumpulan data yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini meliputi observasi untuk mengumpulkan data primer. Wawancara dilaksanakan dengan cara semi terstruktur, dan dokumentasi digunakan untuk mengumpulkan data literasi-literasi dari berbagai sumber seperti penelitian terdahulu. Hasil penelitian menunjukan bahwa strategi yang digunakan pada media sosial facebook, instagram, dan e-commerce (shopee) dinilai efektif dalam memasarkan produk pakaian bekas (thrift) dan mampu meningkatkan volume penjualan setiap bulannya. Hasil dari implementasi strategi pemasaran digital marketing melalui social media memberikan pengaruh positif terhadap usaha Sadrathrifting yang dapat diperhatikan melalui jangkauan pasar yang semakin luas, serta meningkatnya omset penjualan.
Legislation Proposal on the Denial of Paternity and Provisional Birth Registration by Biological Father of Child
Authors:   The Korean Society Of Family Law, Choi Joon-kyu
Published: April 2024

In this article, the author proposes legislation that would recognize the biological father’s right to deny paternity for a child born within wedlock, and allow the biological father to seek a provisional birth registration for such a child. The main points of the proposed legislation can be summarized as follows:
On the biological father’s rights to deny paternity:
1. Ⓐ Within 2 years from the date of the child’s birth, or Ⓑ within 1 year from the date the plaintiff discovers that he is the biological father, provided there is no social parenthood between the legal father and the child, and if the adult child consents to the denial themselves, the biological father may file for the denial of paternity against the legal father and the child/the mother with parental authority.
2. Although the above requirements are met, the court may dismiss the biological father’s request for denial of paternity if such denial significantly harms or is likely to harm the welfare of the child.
3. Any person who files for denial of paternity while aware that he is not the biological father will be subject to criminal punishment.
On the provisional birth registration by biological father of the child:
1. The biological father who has already filed for denial of paternity may apply for a provisional birth registration listing himself as the father of the registered child, by attaching test results conducted through scientific methods proving that he is the biological father.
2. A provisional birth registration has the same effect as a formal one, except for matters regarding the child's legal father. Even if a provisional birth registration is made listing himself as the father of the registered child, the child’s legal father remains the mother’s husband until the court’s judgment denying the presumed paternity of the husband, and confirming the biological father's acknowledgment of his paternity is finalized.
3. Upon finalization of the judgment in the lawsuit filed by the biological father for denying paternity, or termination of the legal proceedings for other reasons, the legal father and mother responsible for the birth registration, and the biological father who applied for the provisional birth registration are obligated to correct the provisional birth registration in accordance with the final judgment or parental law.
Blue Carbon Ecosystems for Climate Resilience in Indonesia: A Study of Adaptation Strategy
Authors: Vinata Ria Tri , Kumala Masitha Tismanada , Setyowati Peni Jati
Published: April 2024

Climate change due to global warming will have an impact on marine and coastal ecosystems, including causing loss of biodiversity and threatening the sustainability of marine and coastal resources. The Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) made Indonesia, which is a tropical archipelagic state as one of the hotspots that is very at risk of being affected by global warming. This risk is especially experienced by cities on the coast. Therefore the importance of adaptation, especially in dealing with the impacts of climate change that has already occurred. The adaptation process cannot be delayed any longer because the earth’s temperature will certainly increase beyond the threshold of 1.5 degrees Celsius in 2030 compared to the pre-Industrial Revolution temperature of 1850. Currently, the global temperature increase has reached 1.1 degrees Celsius. Therefore, Indonesia must immediately make adaptation efforts by utilizing the Blue Carbon Ecosystem which is based on research that blue carbon can absorb and store 100 times more carbon and is more permanent than forests on land. This stored carbon can be stored for thousands of years. Because of this great potential, coastal ecosystems can play many roles as adaptation solutions and mitigation of climate change impacts. Therefore researchers conduct research with the aim of the research is to create Strategies and Adaptation Efforts for Utilizing Blue Carbon Ecosystems: Disaster Resilience, Climate Crisis, and Sustainable Development, with the main target of implementing Resource Based Theory in developing strategies for utilization of Marine Resources, especially Utilization of Carbon Ecosystems Blue in Indonesian marine environment. This research is expected to provide theoretical and empirical evidence related to the development of blue ecosystem utilization strategies, climate crisis, and sustainable development.
The Body, the Brain, the Environment, and Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Dorsey E. Ray , De Miranda Briana R. , Horsager Jacob , Borghammer Per
Published: April 2024

The brain- and body-first models of Lewy body disorders predict that aggregated alpha-synuclein pathology usually begins in either the olfactory system or the enteric nervous system. In both scenarios the pathology seems to arise in structures that are closely connected to the outside world. Environmental toxicants, including certain pesticides, industrial chemicals, and air pollution are therefore plausible trigger mechanisms for Parkinson’s disease and dementia with Lewy bodies.

Here, we propose that toxicants inhaled through the nose can lead to pathological changes in alpha-synuclein in the olfactory system that subsequently spread and give rise to a brain-first subtype of Lewy body disease. Similarly, ingested toxicants can pass through the gut and cause alpha-synuclein pathology that then extends via parasympathetic and sympathetic pathways to ultimately produce a body-first subtype.

The resulting spread can be tracked by the development of symptoms, clinical assessments, in vivo imaging, and ultimately pathological examination. The integration of environmental exposures into the brain-first and body-first models generates testable hypotheses, including on the prevalence of the clinical conditions, their future incidence, imaging patterns, and pathological signatures.

The proposed link, though, has limitations and leaves many questions unanswered, such as the role of the skin, the influence of the microbiome, and the effects of ongoing exposures. Despite these limitations, the interaction of exogenous factors with the nose and the gut may explain many of the mysteries of Parkinson’s disease and open the door toward the ultimate goal –prevention.
Association of hypermagnesemia at birth and admission hypothermia in pre-term infants: A secondary analysis of a prospective cohort study
Authors: Caldas J.P.de Siqueira , Junqueira E.de Almeida Orro , de Camargo J Fernandes , Marba S.T.M.
Published: April 2024

BACKGROUND:

Hypothermia on admission is associated with increased mortality in preterm infants. Drugs administered to pregnant women is implicated in its occurrence. Since magnesium sulfate has a myorelaxant effect, we aimed evaluating the association of hypermagnesemia at birth and admission hypothermia (axillary temperature <36.5°C) in preterm infants.

METHODS:

We performed a secondary analysis of a prospective cohort study database including inborn infants <34 weeks, without congenital malformations. Hypermagnesemia was considered if the umbilical magnesium level > 2.5 mEq/L. Maternal and neonatal variables were used to adjust the model, submitted to the multivariate hierarchical modelling process.

RESULTS:

We evaluated 249 newborns with median birth weight and gestational age of 1375 (IQR 1020–1375) g and 31 (IQR 28–32) weeks, respectively. Hypermagnesemia occurred in 28.5% and admission hypothermia occurred in 28.9%. In the univariate analysis, the following variables were identified as being associated with admission hypothermia: hypermagnesemia (OR 3.71; CI 2.06–6.68), resuscitation (OR 2.39; CI 1.37–4.19), small to gestational age (OR 1.91; CI1.03–3.53), general anesthesia (OR 3.34; CI 1.37–8.13), birth weight (OR 0.998; CI 0.998–0.999) and gestational age (OR 0.806; CI 0.725–0.895). In the hierarchical regression model, hypermagnesemia remained independent associated with admission hypothermia (OR 3.20; CI 1.66–6.15), as well as birth weight (OR 0.999; CI 0.998–0.999) and tracheal intubation (3.83; CI 1.88–7.80).

CONCLUSION:

Hypermagnesemia was associated with an increased risk of admission hypothermia, as did tracheal intubation and lower birth weight.
Evaluation of systemic inflammatory indices in the diagnosis of early onset neonatal sepsis in very low birth weight infants
Authors: Cakir U. , Tayman C.
Published: April 2024

BACKGROUND:

Previously, not six systemic inflammatory indices were evaluated in the diagnosis of early onset sepsis (EOS) in very low birth weight (VLBW, <1500g) premature infants.

OBJECTIVES:

We evaluated the effectiveness of systemic inflammatory indices in the diagnosis of EOS in VLBW infants.

METHODS:

Premature infants with birth weight <1500 g were included in the study. Six systemic inflammatory indices including neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), pan-immune-inflammation value (PIV), and systemic inflammation response index (SIRI) were compared in patients with EOS (treatment group) and without EOS (control group).

RESULTS:

Of 917 infants enrolled, 204 infants were in the EOS group and 713 infants comprised the control group. NLR, MLR and SIRI values were significantly higher in the EOS group than in the control group (p < 0.001). The AUC value of SIRI for the predictivity of EOS was 0.803.

CONCLUSIONS:

The SIRI can be used together with other parameters as both an easily accessible and the reliable systemic inflammatory indices in the diagnosis of EOS in VLBW preterm infants.
Peculiarities of deliberate destruction or endamagement of public utilities (Article 270–1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine)
Authors: Tur Iryna
Published: April 2024

The article outlines problematics related to the direct object of deliberate destruction or damage of public utilities. Two dominant, directly opposing positions have been analyzed with regard to the object of the specified crime, which manifests itself in property relations and social relations in the field of public safety. The study of theoretical papers by researchers addressing the indicated problematics and the analysis of court practices have confirmed the existing shortcomings in providing description for the investigated crime, particularly violations of systematicity in criminal law while formulating criminal law circumstances, simultaneous presence of three types of socially dangerous consequences within one offense, and multiobjectiveness. Taking into account the goal and objectives of the draft law, which criminalize deliberate destruction or endangerment of public utilities, peculiarities of drawing socially dangerous consequences of the element of this crime, as well as the importance of public utilities for meeting the needs of population, it is proposed to recognize social relations in the field of public safety as the primary object of the crime under investigation, along with additional mandatory objects encompassing alternatively life, health, and property.
India and the Artemis Accords: Need to Tread Cautiously
Authors:   Dr. Ajey Lele works as a consultant with Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA), New Delhi. His area of research includes strategic technologies and space security. Views expressed over here are personal., Lele Ajey
Published: April 2024

The Artemis Accords refer to a non-binding multilateral arrangement on use of space led by the US and signed onto by several governments. These accords have established a framework of principles, guidelines, and best practices to ensure peaceful space exploration in a transparent manner. India signed the Artemis Accords in June 2023. India becoming a part of these accords is viewed as an important step towards expanding the Indo-US strategic partnership further. However, these accords are in conflict with the concept of Common Heritage of Mankind (CHM). The final aim of the Artemis Programme is to facilitate the outreach of humans to the Moon and Mars. Some provisions in these accords are at variance with the existing norms building process in the space domain. This article identifies the limitations of these accords and argues that as a signatory nation, India needs to remain watchful and ensure that its strategic and commercial interests are well protected.
When Realpolitik Triumphs over Uyghur Rights in Xinjiang
Authors:   Sarada Subhash is a Research Scholar with the Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF). She pursues research on Tibet, Xinjiang, and Chinese Foreign Policy. The author is deeply grateful to Prof. Sujit Dutta, an acclaimed China expert, for his invaluable inputs and observations on the article and particularly, the history segments., Subhash Sarada
Published: April 2024

The ongoing human rights violations against the Uyghur ethnic minority, predominantly Turkic speaking Muslims, in the China-ruled Xinjiang region are deeply disturbing. This article is an attempt to situate the persecution, violence and Uyghur concerns in a broader framework that highlights four critical dimensions of this issue. These include, the contrasting narratives about the history of East Turkestan/Xinjiang; understanding the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM), which China has been portraying as a significant security ‘concern’; highlighting Xinjiang’s geostrategic importance to China vis-à-vis Central, West and South Asia and finally, Washington’s counter-terrorism strategies (post-9/11) which many see as a significant factor in abetting the Uyghur predicament. In short, the article tries to understand if these issues have contributed to aiding or aggravating the continuing Uyghur crisis and via assessing these segments, it shall also try to provide a brief insight into ‘why’ and ‘how’ China is managing to do what it is doing in Xinjiang
Research Progress in the Relationship Between P2X7 and Flavonoids in Cardiovascular Disease
Authors: Zhou Peng
Published: April 2024

Inhibition of P2X7 receptor overexpression is essential in cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Flavonoids can reduce the mortality of CVDs through anti-inflammatory effects, and P2X7 receptor activation can lead to inflammation. Therefore, studying the effect of flavonoids on P2X7 will help develop safe and effective target drugs for prevention and treatment of CVDs. The aim of this article is to review the literature regarding flavonoids and their various actions on P2X7. Molecular docking showed that the VINA scores of naringin, genistin, and baicalin were lower or equal to the specific inhibitor A804598, which will help in the development of novel therapeutic agents for CVDs.
Exosomes and Their Application as Drug Delivery System in Cancer Therapy
Authors: YANG KUN , MA BINGSUO , YU TING , LI KEXIN , ZHANG LIANGMING , YUAN XIAOYAN , ZHANG HAIZHU , YAN ZIJUN YAN , CHEN TONG
Published: April 2024

Exosomes are extracellular vesicles naturally released from cells. Exosomes from different sources play different roles in cellular component exchange, signal transduction, and pathological development. Exosomes have distinct biological characteristics such as low immunogenicity, easy uptake by cells, crossing the blood-brain barrier, natural targeting, and easy modification. Many studies show that exosomes as drug carriers have a great application prospect in cancer therapy. In this review, we review the biogenesis, origin, biological characteristics of exosomes, and the exosome drug delivery system and its application for cancer therapy are summarized to provide a reference for the study of exosomes.
Bioequivalence of Rivaroxaban Hard Capsules vs. Film-Coated Tablets in Healthy White Volunteers
Authors: Gierczak-Pachulska Agnieszka , Kaza Michał , Jarus-Dziedzic Katarzyna , Czerepow-Bielik Olga , Segiet-Święcicka Agnieszka , Huszcza Grzegorz , Sidoruk Katarzyna , Rabczenko Daniel , Rudzki Piotr J.
Published: April 2024

Rivaroxaban is an oral anticoagulant that is a selective, direct factor Xa inhibitor. It is used to prevent thrombotic events of atherosclerotic etiology and to prevent stroke and peripheral embolism in adult patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. The aim of studies was to assess the bioequivalence of two orally administered products: test (Zarixa hard capsules) vs. reference (Xarelto® film-coated tablets). Two crossover, 2-period, randomized, open-label, laboratory-blinded studies were conducted in healthy White male and female volunteers. A single oral dose (Study 1: 10 mg fasting, Study 2: 20 mg fed) of the test or reference product was followed by a minimum 7-day washout. Blood was collected up to 48 h after administration. Plasma concentrations of rivaroxaban were measured using a validated LC-MS/MS method. The bioequivalence criteria for 90% confidence intervals (CI) of the log-transformed geometric mean ratios (test/reference) for the two primary pharmacokinetic parameters (AUC(0-t) and Cmax) were set at 80.00-125.00%. Vital signs, laboratory parameters, and adverse events were monitored. 34 of 36 volunteers completed Study 1, and geometric mean ratios were 97.96% (90% CI 93.69-102.42%) for AUC(0-t), and 89.35% (90% CI 84.28-94.72%) for Cmax. All 36 volunteers completed Study 2, and geometric mean ratios were 103.57% (90% CI 98.75-108.63%) for AUC(0-t), and 95.17% (90% CI 87.35-103.70%) for Cmax. All of 90% CIs for the primary pharmacokinetic parameter ratios met acceptance criteria. There were no serious adverse events. Results of both studies indicate that the test product (Zarixa) is bioequivalent to the reference product (Xarelto®). Both products were well tolerated.
Development of Method for Determining Topiramate in Various Biological Matrices (Plasma, Saliva, Hair) and Its Application in Clinical Practice
Authors: Kuczyńska Julita , Zakrzewska-Sito Alicja , Bochyńska Anna , Sienkiewicz-Jarosz Halina , Dermanowski Michał , Mierzejewski Paweł
Published: April 2024

The aim of this work was to develop and validate of method for the determination of topiramate (TPM) by a high-performance liquid chromatographic method coupled to triple-quadrupole mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) in MRM mode in the human plasma, saliva, and hair, and implementation of this method for the determination of TPM in patients with epilepsy. Saliva may as an alternative matrix for monitoring drug level, and hair drug content may be a reliable biomarker of the history of drug exposure, allowing to assess patient long-term compliance. Chromatographic separation was achieved in 3 min on a Kinetex analytical column (5 μm C18 100 Å, 100×2.1 mm) using an isocratic elution of acetonitrile and 10 mM ammonium acetate at a ratio of 80:20 (v/v) and a flow rate of 0.2 mL/min. Detection of TPM and internal standard (IS) (TPM-d12) was performed in negative ion mode (ESI−). The following transitions were used m/z 338 → 77.90; 338 → 95.90 for TPM and 350.3 → 78.20 for IS. The method showed to be selective, accurate, precise, and linear for TPM over the concentration ranges of 0.20-30 μg/mL (plasma, saliva), and 5.0-500.0 ng/mL (hair). The simple and robust LC-MS/MS method was successfully applied for the determination of TPM in patients with epilepsy.
Exploring Clinicians' Experiences of Accessing Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis Drug Susceptibility Testing Services from Health Centers in Blantyre
Authors: Msokwa Robert , Smoke Callistar , Saidi Loreen
Published: April 2024

BACKGROUND. Multi Drug Resistant Tuberculosis poses a great challenge to TB control in Malawi as well as worldwide. Most cases of TB are concentrated in cities in Malawi.

OBJECTIVE. To explore clinicians’ experiences of accessing drug-resistant tuberculosis susceptibility testing services from health centers in Blantyre.

METHODS. The study was a qualitative study using in-depth interviews of key informants. TB clinicians were interviewed using an interview guide questionnaire. This study was conducted at Zingwangwa, Gateway, and Ndirande health centers. Tuberculosis clinical officers at the health centers. Data collection took a period of six weeks.

FINDINGS. The survey included a total of 11 participants from 5 different health centers who participated in our in-depth interviews, with a median age of 32 (IQR 22). Out of 11 participants, 3 (27.3%) were from Ndirande, 3 (27.3%) were from Zingwangwa, 3 (27.3%) were from Bangwe, 1 (9.1%) was from Limbe, and 1 (9.1%) was from Gateway. We interviewed 6 (54.5%) HSAs, 3 (27.3%) were clinical officers, and 2 (18.2%) were medical assistants.

INTERPRETATION. Most clinicians experience delays in receiving sample results from the National Central Laboratory at CHSU. There are also frequent stockouts of consumables and congestion during the treatment of patients.

CONCLUSION. The study revealed that clinicians experience delays in receiving DST results from CHSU. Transportation of samples has been the major challenge in most health centers in Blantyre.
Methodology for Quality Assurance of Educational Software
Authors: Ducasse Norka Elvira Roca , González Hernández Walfredo
Published: April 2024

Evaluating the quality of educational software is a priority given the number of educational systems currently being produced. The article carries out a documentary analysis to search for documents that have addressed these elements. The results address the main documents that have been obtained. Subsequently, a methodology containing a system of metrics to evaluate the quality of educational software is proposed.
Common Fixed Point Results for Fuzzy F-Contractive Mappings in a Dislocated Metric Spaces With Application
Authors: Raji Muhammed , Ibrahim Musa Adeku , Rauf Kamilu , Kehinde Rotimi
Published: April 2024

This article presents a new approach to proving the existence and uniqueness of a common fixed point for fuzzy mappings that satisfy Ciric type F-contraction and Hardy-Roger type F-contraction in a complete dislocated metric space. These results are applied to multivalued mappings in dislocated metric spaces, and we have provided illustrative examples to demonstrate the power of our approach.
Electron Tunneling in Ferritin and Its Potential Influence on Myelin and Cardiomyocytes
Authors: Rourk Christopher
Published: April 2024

A recent review discussed a number of biological systems and processes that appear to use electron tunneling associated with ferritin. This review provides evidence of such electron tunneling in myelin and cardiomyocytes, as well as additional evidence that pertains to whether macrophages can form ferritin structures that are capable of conducting electrons through sequential tunneling.